Brandon Jones secures fourth pole of the season for the Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, clocking in at 29.439 seconds with an impressive average speed of 183.430 mph. This achievement marks his twelfth career pole in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as he approaches his 299th start. The competition remains fierce, with defending champion Cole Custer and several postseason drivers lined up close behind. While Brandon Jones aims for victory, challenges linger for Joe Gibbs Racing, specifically an unexpected engine change for their No. 18 car.
Key Highlights
- Brandon Jones achieved pole position for the Ambetter Health 302 with a time of 29.439 seconds, averaging 183.430 mph.
- This marks his fourth pole of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season and twelfth career pole.
- Brandon Jones collaborated effectively with JR Motorsports for optimal car setup ahead of the race.
- He is set to make his 299th NASCAR Xfinity Series start, aiming for a strong performance in Las Vegas.
- The starting lineup features competitive drivers, including defending champion Cole Custer and other postseason contenders.
Brandon Jones Leads the Way in Xfinity Series Qualifying
Demonstrating exceptional skill and speed, Brandon Jones led the field in Xfinity Series qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 9 Menards Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports highlighted his proficiency, posting a remarkable time of 29.439 ticks, equivalent to an average speed of 183.430 mph. This performance not only secured him the pole position for Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302 but also emphasized his competitive edge in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Brandon Jones’s achievement marks his fourth pole of the season and the twelfth of his career in this highly competitive second-tier series. Such consistency in qualifying demonstrates not only his driving talent but also the effective collaboration between him and the JR Motorsports team, particularly in car setup and strategy on the 1.5-mile intermediate track.
The precision required to navigate the intricacies of Las Vegas Motor Speedway cannot be overstated, and Brandon Jones’s ability to optimize this during qualifying speaks volumes about his preparation and execution.
As he heads into his 299th Xfinity Series start, the stakes are high for Brandon Jones. The momentum gained from leading the qualifying rounds could translate into a strong performance during the race. With each pole position, he solidifies his reputation as a formidable contender, poised to capitalize on any opportunity to secure victory.
Starting Lineup for Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302
Following Brandon Jones‘s impressive performance in qualifying, the starting lineup for Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302 features a competitive field poised for an exciting race. Brandon Jones secured the pole position, showing his exceptional speed and strategy, setting the stage for a fierce battle at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer will start alongside him from the outside of the front row. Custer’s objective is clear: he aims to cement his place in the Championship 4, emphasizing the significance of this race for playoff contenders.
Completing the top five are fellow postseason drivers Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer, and Sammy Smith, each of whom will be enthusiastic to capitalize on their advantageous starting positions.
Justin Allgaier, despite being the slowest of the four JR Motorsports entries, qualified sixth, indicating the competitive nature of his team. Defending race winner Riley Herbst will start seventh, while Jesse Love‘s eighth-place spot positions him well for potential gains.
AJ Allmendinger and Ryan Sieg round out the top ten, both drivers known for their resilience and racecraft.
Notably, Aric Almirola, driving the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing, qualified 12th, a disappointing result considering the stakes of the Xfinity Series Owners Playoffs.
Austin Hill, representing Richard Childress Racing, will start from 17th, the only playoff driver outside the top ten, highlighting the unpredictability of the race ahead. The diverse lineup sets the stage for an exhilarating contest.
Engine Trouble for Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18
While the excitement built for Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302, Joe Gibbs Racing faced an unexpected setback as the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra was forced to undergo an engine change. This unforeseen issue not only prevented the team from qualifying but also relegated them to starting at the back of the field, with Sheldon Creed now set to begin the race in last place.
The implications of this situation are considerable. An engine change underlines potential reliability concerns that can plague any racing team, particularly one competing at the highest levels. Joe Gibbs Racing, known for its competitive edge and engineering skill, now finds itself at a disadvantage before the race even begins.
Starting from the rear poses considerable challenges, especially on a track like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where track position and tactical overtaking can dictate race outcomes.
With only 38 teams entered, all drivers, including the slowest, Akinori Ogata, will take the green flag. This means the competition is less about simply making the race and more about managing the race from a compromised position. The team will need to devise plans effectively, balancing aggression with caution to navigate through the field.
News in Brief: Brandon Jones Secures Fourth Pole of the Season
Brandon Jones’ achievement of securing a fourth pole position this season emphasizes a strong competitive edge in the Xfinity Series. The starting lineup for the Ambetter Health 302 reflects a tactical advantage for Brandon Jones, who aims for victory in Las Vegas.
However, engine troubles encountered by Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 highlight the potential for unexpected challenges. Generally, Brandon Jones’ performance sets a promising stage for the upcoming race, with important implications for championship aspirations.
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