In a thrilling display of speed and skill, Zane Smith achieved his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series pole award at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway. This impressive feat occurred during the qualifying rounds where Smith’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse outperformed Kyle Busch’s Chevrolet, securing the pole position by more than a tenth of a second. The anticipation for tomorrow’s race is palpable as Smith prepares to lead the field to the green flag.
The qualifying session showcased the strength of Ford vehicles, as Team Penske and the Wood Brothers Racing placed all four cars in the top ten. This high level of competition indicates that drivers starting in the middle of the pack could also surprise fans with their speed strategies during the race. Notably, Zane Smith’s No. 38 car has emerged as the fastest in Talladega, leading many to consider him a formidable contender.
Joining Smith on the front row will be none other than Kyle Busch, who looks to capitalize on his strong starting position. Austin Dillon also made a strong showing, securing a spot in the top ten. Historically, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has demonstrated remarkable speed on these tracks, and their performance today continues that trend. Fans of Busch, affectionately known as “Rowdy,” are eagerly hoping to see him clinch a victory after his impressive qualifying run.
Overall, all 39 cars entered for the race qualified, highlighting the competitive nature of this event, which has a total of 40 spots. Returning to the Cup Series for this weekend are BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley, alongside Anthony Alfredo, who is back behind the wheel of the No. 62 car for Beard Motorsports. Hendrick Motorsports also prepared well, with their cars qualifying between P16 and P30, where William Byron shone as the quickest within that group.
Front Row Motorsports has made an incredible turnaround since 2024, emerging victorious in pole awards at Talladega, aligning themselves with Team Penske in a partnership that has elevated their performance on superspeedways. This strategic collaboration has indeed transformed the organization’s capabilities, making them a force to be reckoned with.
After the qualification, Zane Smith expressed his excitement in an interview with Larry McReynolds, emphasizing the contributions of his team. “Yeah, I wish I could take a lot of the credit for it, but truthfully, just, man, a really fast FRM Ford,” Smith stated. “Titlemax on the car. So cool! Man, a pole sitter in the Cup Series, that’s awesome. Just a huge shoutout to all these guys. They’ve been doing an awesome job this year. So, long race tomorrow, but a great starting spot. Yeah, super stoked for this.”
As the race day approaches, fans are buzzing with excitement not only for Zane Smith but for the thrilling race that awaits them on Sunday. With the stakes high and competition fierce, all eyes will be on Smith as he leads the pack at Talladega, and the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next for this rising star in the NASCAR world?
