Tyler Reddick captured the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, posting a blistering lap of 29.054 seconds that edged Josh Berry by just 0.015 seconds. The performance marked Reddick’s fourth pole of the season and his first since April at Kansas Speedway, a milestone that helped lift him back into the top tier of the championship standings after a stretch of four consecutive finishes outside the top ten.
Jordan’s Motivational Boost
The pole run was preceded by a pep talk from NBA legend Michael Jordan, who co‑owns Reddick’s 23XI Racing entry alongside Denny Hamlin. Jordan’s words added a personal touch to the weekend, reinforcing the driver’s confidence as he sought to rebound from a challenging stretch of races.
Reddick’s team responded to a lackluster practice session by re‑engineering the car’s setup, a change that translated into a dramatically improved qualifying time. The adjustment not only secured the front‑row start but also signaled a turnaround for 23XI Racing, which had seen its driver tumble to fourth in the points after an early‑season slump.
Josh Berry, meanwhile, delivered his career‑best qualifying result, lining up second on the grid. The Wood Brothers Racing driver has now posted three straight top‑10 finishes, a streak that has positioned the team for a notable driver shuffle in 2027, with Jesse Love slated to take over the No. 21 Ford.
The upcoming race promises a tight battle between the two front‑row starters, with Reddick aiming to convert his pole into a victory and Berry looking to capitalize on his momentum. Both drivers are backed by strong organizational support, with 23XI Racing and Wood Brothers Racing leveraging their respective resources to contend for their first wins of the season.