Ryan Blaney secured his second consecutive NASCAR pole position at Richmond Raceway, marking the 16th pole of his Cup Series career and his third in the past five events.
A sudden cloud formation in the late session softened the track surface, allowing Blaney to post a blistering lap of 22.225 seconds at 121.485 mph, the fastest of the weekend.
The qualifying order placed Blaney as the second‑to‑last driver on the track, with Chase Briscoe taking the runner‑up spot, followed by Josh Berry, Ty Gibbs and William Byron.
A milestone tied with Hamlin
Denny Hamlin, who qualified 14th, now shares the 2026 points lead with Blaney, a rare alignment that underscores the competitiveness of the season.
Blaney credited the turnaround to fine‑tuned adjustments with crew chief Jonathan Hassler, who helped the team overcome earlier qualifying woes.
Despite the optimism, the driver acknowledged the track’s sharp corners and the likelihood of significant tire degradation, tempering expectations for race‑day speed.
Tyler Reddick, who spun in practice, will start 32nd — his worst grid position since March 2023 — highlighting the unpredictable nature of the event.