Hamlin Secures Pole as Jordan Celebrates
Denny Hamlin roared to the top of the speed chart at Michigan International Speedway, posting a blistering lap of 195.117 mph to claim his 50th NASCAR Cup Series pole. The achievement came despite a scare during practice when a tire issue forced his team to work late into the night to get the car race‑ready.
Carson Hocevar, the Michigan native who led the most laps in the Truck Series earlier in the weekend, settled for second on the grid. Behind him, Tyler Reddick, the current championship leader, will start third in the No. 45 Toyota, while JGR teammates Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe rounded out a Toyota‑heavy top five.
The pole position also carries extra significance for Hamlin, who co‑owns the No. 45 Toyota with NBA legend Michael Jordan. Jordan’s involvement adds a high‑profile spotlight to the team, which has enjoyed a strong run of late, with Toyota securing four of the top five starting spots.
While Chevrolet and Ford have historic advantages on the 2‑mile oval — Ford boasting 44 track wins compared with Chevrolet’s 26 and Toyota’s 7 — Toyota has taken the last two Michigan races, including a victory from pole by Joey Logano in 2019. Logano, a three‑time Michigan winner, will start 18th this time, but the early pace suggests a fierce battle for the checkered flag.
The race will be run under the lights at Michigan, where the combination of high speeds and strategic tire management could reshape the playoff picture. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Hamlin can convert his pole into a win, and how the Jordan‑backed Toyota measures up against its American rivals.