William Byron snatches Phoenix pole in a shocking last-lap stunner, clocking 133.680 mph to secure his first pole in nearly a year. Joey Logano came close but fell short. Meanwhile, Spire Motorsports turned heads with all three cars landing in the top eight. With history favoring pole winners at Phoenix Raceway, strategy will be key. Tire choices and rising track temperatures add another layer of uncertainty. Who will take control when the green flag drops?
Key Highlights
- William Byron secured pole position at Phoenix Raceway with a lap speed of 133.680 mph.
- Byron’s pole is his first in nearly a year, achieved as the last car to qualify.
- Joey Logano narrowly missed pole with a speed of 133.195 mph, joking about his rivalry with Byron.
- Spire Motorsports impressed with all three cars starting in the top eight positions.
- Pole position at Phoenix is crucial, often leading to race victories as seen in previous years.
William Byron Claims Pole Position
William Byron secured the pole position for the upcoming Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway with an impressive lap speed of 133.680 mph. This achievement marks his initial pole in nearly a year, highlighting a momentous occasion for the 27-year-old driver from North Carolina.
As the last car to complete a qualifying lap, Byron’s performance drew attention for its unexpected swiftness despite a self-acknowledged mistake during the lap. He admitted to missing his marks and experiencing a loose exit, yet his commitment to the car’s potential yielded a remarkable result.
“I did not hit my marks, I was sideways and carried a ton of entry speed, missed the middle of the corner, and coming off the dogleg I was so loose.”
“I was just going to try to commit to the exits and see how much I could get out, even though I missed the center [of the turn]. – William Byron
His No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet proved its speed and reliability under pressure. Byron, currently leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings with two top-two finishes in the season’s initial three races, expressed gratitude towards his team for their efforts in providing a competitive vehicle.
“Thanks to my whole team. They’ve been bringing fast cars and we’ve been doing a really good job of executing. So definitely want to go out there and have a great day tomorrow.” – William Byron
Joey Logano Just Misses Out on Pole
Joey Logano narrowly missed out on securing the pole position for the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, demonstrating strong performance in his Team Penske No. 22 Ford Mustang.
With a lap speed of 133.195 mph, Logano showcased his exceptional driving skills, marking his tertiary front-row start in four races this year. Despite his impressive speed, Logano was edged out by William Byron in the final moments of the single-round Cup Series qualifying session.
Logano’s humor shone through as he jested about his newfound rivalry with Byron, stating, “I don’t like William Byron anymore,” while acknowledging the disappointment of losing the pole position at the last moment.
“Man, that stinks. I just got through telling [crew chief] Paul [Wolfe] that it would really suck if the last car beat us.”
“That was going to be Penske’s 700th pole across all motorsports, so we’ll have to go try and do that next week. But overall, proud of the effort.” – Joey Logano
He noted that this would have been Team Penske’s 700th pole across all motorsports, highlighting the significance of the achievement.
Nonetheless, Logano expressed pride in the team’s effort, indicating a readiness to pursue the milestone in the following race.
Strong Qualifying Effort for Spire Motorsports
Spire Motorsports showcased an impressive qualifying performance for the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, with Carson Hocevar leading the team’s efforts by securing a place in the top three starting position in his No. 77 Chevrolet.
This feat marks a noteworthy achievement for the team, as all three Spire cars will begin the race within the top eight positions on the grid—a primary in their history. Michael McDowell, piloting the No. 71, and Justin Haley, in the No. 7, will start in seventh and eighth positions, respectively.
This collective effort underlines the team’s tactical skill and operational advancement, setting a promising stage for the upcoming race. Their strong qualifying positions provide them with an advantageous starting point in the highly competitive field.
History of Pole Winners at Phoenix
With the anticipation building for the Shriners Children’s 500, attention turns to the history of pole winners at Phoenix Raceway. This desert track has seen several drivers transform their pole positions into victories, showcasing both skill and strategy.
A notable recent instance is Joey Logano, who won the Cup Series race at Phoenix from the pole in fall 2022. His victory exemplifies the advantage of starting at the front in this one-mile circuit.
Hendrick Motorsports, a powerhouse in NASCAR, features two active drivers who have achieved similar feats at Phoenix:
- Kyle Larson – Secured a pole-to-win victory in 2021, demonstrating his expertise on this challenging track.
- Chase Elliott – Achieved the same in 2020, further solidifying his status as a top contender.
Carson Hocevar Fastest in Practice and Tire Strategy
Although the anticipation for the race is high, the spotlight during Saturday’s practice session was firmly on Carson Hocevar, who clocked the fastest time at 132.533 mph, leading the field for Spire Motorsports. His teammate, Michael McDowell, closely followed at 132.523 mph, showcasing Spire’s competitive edge.
Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, and Chris Buescher rounded out the top five, all within a tight range of speed.
Teams focused on tire strategy, testing the option tire initially used in last year’s All-Star Race. This tire, known for its speed and strength, could become the sole compound for the November championship in Phoenix if it performs well.
With race day temperatures expected to be warmer, teams must rely on data gathered during practice to optimize their strategy. Each team has two sets of the option tire and seven primary sets from Goodyear, with one set reserved from qualifying.
News in Brief: William Byron Snatches Phoenix Pole
In an exciting turn of events at Phoenix, William Byron secured the pole position with a remarkable last-lap performance, reshuffling the starting grid. Joey Logano closely followed, nearly clinching the top spot. Spire Motorsports also impressed with a strong qualifying run.
The session was marked by Carson Hocevar’s speed in practice and tactical tire choices that tested teams’ adaptability. This outcome adds intrigue to the race, showcasing the competitive nature and tactical depth of NASCAR’s qualifying rounds.
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