Nascar

Hamlin Takes Pole as NASCAR Sets Grid for Pocono’s Great American Getaway 400

Rain‑delayed qualifying saw Joe Gibbs Racing dominate the front row, while several contenders will start at the back

The NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Pocono Raceway for the Great American Getaway 400, a race that had its schedule shifted earlier due to forecasted weather, though Saturday's conditions proved dry enough for a full qualifying session.

Denny Hamlin emerged as the fastest driver, posting a lap of 51.948 seconds to claim the pole position. Kyle Larson narrowly missed the top spot, finishing second with a 52.001‑second effort, while Daniel Suarez secured third place with a 52.059‑second lap.

Joe Gibbs Racing demonstrated strong pace, with Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe and Hamlin all featuring in the top five, underscoring the team's competitive edge heading into Sunday's event.

Grid Adjustments and Setbacks

RFK Racing faced a double setback: Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski each encountered engine issues during qualifying, forcing them to start at the back of the field. Meanwhile, Chris Buescher managed a solid sixth‑place start for the same team, while Carson Hocevar lost control in Turn 3, clipped the wall and will line up 26th.

Bubba Wallace's No. 23 car spun on the bumps, striking both the outside and inside walls, which ultimately led to a Did Not Qualify (DNQ) result and left the team without a starting position.

The final grid now reflects a mix of strong performances and unexpected setbacks, setting the stage for a dynamic race where weather‑adjusted timing and strategic pit work could prove decisive.

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