William Byron shocked many at Darlington Raceway by grabbing the pole position in a way that brought back memories of Jeff Gordon. Driving the iconic No. 24 Chevrolet, William Byron showed speed and control during qualifying. But it was not just the lap time that caught attention—it was how it all came together. With key names like Ryan Preece, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe also making moves, the stage is now set for something intense on race day.
Key Highlights
- NASCAR driver William Byron achieved his third pole of the 2025 season at Darlington Raceway.
- He clocked a lap time of 28.774 seconds at 170.904 mph.
- Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet was finely tuned by crew chief Rudy Fugle.
- Adjustments during practice addressed initial tightness in Byron’s car.
- Byron’s performance channels Jeff Gordon’s legacy with his iconic No. 24 car.
William Byron Takes Pole at Darlington
William Byron secured the pole position at Darlington Raceway, marking a significant achievement in his NASCAR Cup Series career. Driving a silver Axalta paint scheme featuring flames, reminiscent of Jeff Gordon’s 2015 ride, Byron accomplished this feat with a lap time of 28.774 seconds, reaching speeds of 170.904 mph.
This pole is Byron’s third of the 2025 season and the 15th in his career, reinforcing his talent on the track.
Byron’s performance was underpinned by the tactical efforts of his team, led by crew chief Rudy Fugle. Darlington Raceway, known for its challenging layout, is considered Byron’s best track.
“Yeah, I felt good about it today. I felt like we had a good plan going into practice.”
“I feel like we’re always strong here. It’s a really good track for our team, and myself. Just tried to find a decent balance there to start. We were a little bit tighter than we wanted to be, so, we pitted and worked on it, and got a lot better.” – William Byron
The practice sessions saw the team adjusting the No. 24 Chevrolet to achieve the ideal balance, overcoming initial tightness. Byron expressed confidence in their approach, stating that the adjustments made during practice were essential in positioning him to secure the pole.
Ryan Preece’s Strong Performance
Ryan Preece showcased impressive skill and determination at Darlington Raceway, narrowly missing the pole position by just 0.084 moments. His performance in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse was a reflection of his rising form in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Preece’s current path places him on the most notable hot streak of his career, with a remarkable three consecutive top-10 finishes, including a career-best performance at Martinsville Speedway the previous weekend.
His consistent results reflect a growing mastery over the complexities of competitive racing, and his near-pole position indicates a driver at the peak of his capabilities, poised to extend his streak to four races in the upcoming Goodyear 400.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in Top Four
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe both secured top-four starting positions for the upcoming race at Darlington Raceway, underscoring their competitive edge in the NASCAR Cup Series. Denny Hamlin’s recent victory at Martinsville serves as proof of his strong form, as he confidently claimed the third starting position for Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe, the reigning winner of last fall’s Southern 500 at Darlington, showcased his skill by qualifying fourth in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Their performance highlights the tactical depth and talent both drivers bring to their respective teams.
Setting the stage for an exciting contest at the historic Darlington Raceway, known for its challenging layout and rich tradition in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Bubba Wallace and Other Top Qualifiers
Following the impressive opening positions of Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, attention now turns to Bubba Wallace and other top qualifiers for the NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway.
Bubba Wallace, who has consistently secured podium finishes in the last two races, will aim for his initial victory of the season from the fifth starting position. His performance will be closely monitored, given his recent form.
Behind Wallace, several other drivers have also positioned themselves favorably:
- Austin Cindric: Starting sixth, Cindric pays homage to Dale Earnhardt with a throwback paint scheme, hoping to channel the legendary spirit.
- Tyler Reddick: Positioned seventh, Reddick is set to make his presence felt.
- Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney: Occupying eighth and ninth spots respectively, both are seasoned competitors with a history of strong performances.
- Michael McDowell: Starting in the tenth position, McDowell is poised for a tactical race.
Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs, starting 11th, aims to build on his recent top-15 finish.
Other Notable Drivers and Incidents
During the practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series, John Hunter Nemechek experienced a spin-out that resulted in flat-spotted tires, but fortunately, his car sustained no further damage.
This incident did not prevent Nemechek from participating in the qualifying round, where he secured the 27th starting position for the Sunday race. Meanwhile, several other notable drivers positioned themselves tactically in the starting lineup, promising an exciting race.
Chase Elliott, positioned at 15th, aims to utilize his starting spot for a strong performance. Meanwhile, Joey Logano and Kyle Larson find themselves in close contention at 18th and 19th, respectively. The defending race-winner, Brad Keselowski, starts at 20th, while Erik Jones, a former Southern 500 winner, begins at 34th.
News in Brief: William Byron Darlington Pole Victory
William Byron’s impressive pole position at Darlington, reminiscent of Jeff Gordon’s legendary style, shows his talent and determination. Ryan Preece’s strong showing, along with Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe securing spots in the top four, highlights the competitive nature of the race.
Bubba Wallace and other top qualifiers also displayed their skill on the track. All in all, the qualifying session set the stage for an exciting race, with several notable drivers poised for strong performances.
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