The NASCAR Cup Series rolled into EchoPark Speedway for a highly anticipated weekend, and the qualifying session delivered a surprise twist at the front of the grid.
Ryan Blaney claimed the pole position with a blistering lap of 30.815 seconds, securing a front‑row start that he described as a perfect platform to work with his Ford teammates.
His Team Penske teammate Joey Logano followed closely, posting a 30.851‑second effort that placed him second on the grid.
Ford’s Front‑Row Advantage
Blaney’s satisfaction stemmed not only from his own performance but also from the collaborative atmosphere among Ford drivers, a factor he believes will be crucial during the race’s draft.
While the Ford contingent enjoyed a strong start, points leader Denny Hamlin and second‑place Tyler Reddick found themselves further down the order, qualifying 28th and 31st respectively in their 23XI Racing Toyotas.
Blaney noted that the Toyota cars appeared aggressive in the draft, suggesting a potential battle for position as the race unfolds.
The rest of the top ten was rounded out by Kyle Larson in third, Austin Dillon and Daniel Suarez, while Hendrick Motorsports teammates Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott secured sixth and seventh spots.
Elliott, who captured last summer’s victory at his home track near Atlanta, will look to translate that success into a strong finish on Sunday.
Completing the top ten were Austin Cindric, Ross Chastain and Brad Keselowski, rounding out a diverse field of contenders.