Sammy Smith Claims Maiden Pole: In a stunning display of skill and determination, 19-year-old Sammy Smith, a contender in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, seized his first career pole position for Saturday’s Championship 4 field-deciding race at Martinsville Speedway.
Smith’s impressive lap time of 20.035 seconds (94.515 mph) during the qualifying session edged out fellow Playoff contender Justin Allgaier by a mere 0.012 seconds, propelling him to the top of the scoring sheet.
Reflecting on his achievement, Smith shared, “It was a good lap. The first lap was a little bit off, had a bit of a lock-up. I was able to secure the pole on the second lap. Going into it, I knew the second lap would be faster; I just needed to get heat in the tires.”
Piloting the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Pringles Toyota Supra, Smith faces a challenging situation, entering the race 49 points below the Playoff cutline. This makes the upcoming race a virtual must-win scenario if he harbors hopes of claiming the coveted Xfinity Series championship trophy in Phoenix.
Despite the pressure, Smith exudes confidence in his car’s raw speed, evident since his JGR team unloaded the vehicle. He firmly believes that victory in Saturday’s race is within reach, contingent upon flawless execution by him and his team.
“I feel like we have a really good car for tomorrow’s race,” Smith asserted during his post-qualifying press conference. “Practice went well, and qualifying was strong. Now, it’s about executing our race plan tomorrow.”
In an intriguing twist, the top five positions on the grid will be occupied by Playoff contenders, underscoring the high stakes of the race. Cole Custer, Riley Herbst, and John Hunter Nemechek join Smith in the top ranks of the qualifying results.
Further down the grid, Brandon Jones, Chandler Smith, Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, and Parker Retzlaff will commence the race from inside the top 10, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and fiercely competitive showdown at Martinsville Speedway.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who won the pole for the Xfinity race at Phoenix?
Smith, the victor of this season’s spring race at Phoenix, secured the pole position with a blazing lap of 132.582 mph, marking his second pole of the season. He had previously clinched the pole at Martinsville just last week. Austin Hill, with a lap of 132.572 mph, will commence the race in second place.
Who is the pole position for the Phoenix Nascar race?
William Byron, one of the Championship 4 drivers, has secured the pole position for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. This achievement keeps alive the possibility of maintaining an impressive streak.
Who won the Xfinity series race today at Phoenix?
In a thrilling overtime restart, Cole Custer emerged victorious in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. The title contenders engaged in a breathtaking three-wide battle down the backstretch, but Custer expertly navigated through a tightly bunched pack of cars to claim the series title. It was an impressive display of skill and determination from the talented driver.
What is the starting lineup for the Phoenix race today?
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race is all set to begin with an exciting starting lineup. William Byron and Martin Truex Jr. will be starting in the first row, followed by Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson in the second row. The rest of the lineup promises to be equally thrilling, with some of the best drivers in the world competing for the championship title. Stay tuned for an action-packed race that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!