Michael McDowell secures first ever pole for Spire Motorsports at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, outpacing Joey Logano with a blazing lap. The moment marks history for Spire Motorsports, giving the team a major advantage heading into race day. With a lap time of 28.883 seconds and speeds reaching 186.961 mph, the competition was fierce. While Logano came close, his frustration was clear. Meanwhile, other top contenders positioned themselves for a thrilling battle on the track.
Key Highlights
- Michael McDowell secured pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a lap time of 28.883 seconds at 186.961 mph.
- This achievement marks Spire Motorsports’ first-ever pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- McDowell narrowly surpassed reigning champion Joey Logano, who secured the outside of the front row.
- The pole position provides tactical advantages, including ideal pit stall selection for Spire Motorsports.
- Joey Logano expressed mixed emotions, finishing just short of pole with back-to-back near-pole performances.
The Surprise Pole Position
In a surprising turn of events, Michael McDowell clinched the pole position for Spire Motorsports, marking a notable milestone for the team in the NASCAR Cup Series. This achievement unfolded at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during Sunday’s single-car qualifying session.
McDowell, alongside crew chief Travis Peterson, delivered an impressive performance with a lap time of 28.883 moments, reaching speeds of 186.961 mph. This effort placed him at the top of the speed charts, narrowly surpassing reigning champion Joey Logano.
Prior to this, McDowell had shown promising potential by securing ninth place in the series’ sole practice session on the 1.5-mile track.
“Just so proud of all the men and women at Spire Motorsports.”
“We had three cars in the top-10 last week, and then to come to a mile-and-a-half, for us, our first mile-and-a-half and have this much speed and sit on the pole, it’s just a testament to all the hard work from everyone at Spire. It gives us great pit stall selection, great opportunity to lead some laps, get some stage points, and put us in position tomorrow.” -Michael McDowell
His remarkable pole position is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of Spire Motorsports. This accomplishment not only provides tactical advantages like ideal pit stall selection but also raises the team’s standing, offering opportunities to lead laps and accumulate valuable stage points.
Joey Logano and Austin Cindric’s Strong Showings
Following Michael McDowell‘s unexpected pole position for Spire Motorsports, attention shifts to the impressive performances of Joey Logano and Austin Cindric.
Logano, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, secured the outside of the front row, providing a strong representation for Pennzoil, the event’s title sponsor. Logano expressed mixed emotions, noting, “Different qualifying session than we typically have here, usually handling comes into play a little bit more than it did there.”
Despite his disappointment, coming close to the pole two consecutive weeks shows consistent performance.
“Seems like all the cars handle pretty well, a lot more wide open time from everybody. Gosh, this close, two weeks in a row to be that close to a pole and not get one hurts a little bit.” – Joey Logano
Austin Cindric, Logano’s teammate at Team Penske, achieved a commendable place starting spot. This marks the additional time in 2025 that his No. 2 Ford Mustang has qualified in the top three, demonstrating Cindric’s growing skill in qualifying sessions.
Top Qualifiers and Notable Performances
With an impressive display of speed and strategy, several drivers have emerged as top qualifiers for the upcoming Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch, demonstrating his skill at his home track, secured the fourth-fastest lap, showcasing his consistency and talent.
Erik Jones, alongside LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, achieved a notable milestone by securing a top-five starting spot for the consecutive weekend, a feat he last accomplished in 2019 with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Alex Bowman, a previous winner in Las Vegas, will begin the race from sixth position, reflecting his competitive edge.
Completing the top ten are Josh Berry, William Byron, Zane Smith, and Kyle Larson, each displaying commendable performances during qualifying.
Meanwhile, Christopher Bell, in pursuit of his fourth straight NASCAR Cup Series win, will start from 13th in his No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE, adding intrigue to the race dynamics.
Other Notable Qualifiers and Ryan Blaney’s Crash
After highlighting the standout performances of the top qualifiers, attention shifts to other notable competitors and a considerable incident involving Ryan Blaney. Among those making a mark in the qualifying session were Chris Buescher, who secured the 11th position, and Tyler Reddick, landing in 14th.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott followed closely, securing the 15th and 16th spots, respectively. Ross Chastain, the fastest in practice, ended up in 19th, while Bubba Wallace captured 20th place. Chase Briscoe, Brad Keselowski, and Ty Gibbs also made their presence felt, finishing in 24th, 27th, and 29th spots, respectively.
Ryan Blaney faced considerable challenges after a crash due to a flat right-rear tire during practice. As a result, he will start 36th, at the back of the field, in the No. 12 Menards / Pennzoil Ford Mustang. The Team Penske crew is working diligently to repair the primary car for Sunday’s race.
News in Brief: Michael McDowell Secures First Ever Pole for Spire Motorsports
Michael McDowell’s pole position for Spire Motorsports marked an important achievement, highlighting the team’s progress and determination. Joey Logano and Austin Cindric delivered strong performances, narrowly missing the top spot but showcasing their competitive edge.
The session featured impressive efforts from several drivers, though it was marred by Ryan Blaney’s unfortunate crash. Altogether, the qualifying round set the stage for an exciting race, with McDowell’s unexpected pole adding an intriguing twist to the competition dynamics.
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