Zane Smith made headlines with a major milestone at Talladega Superspeedway, clocking an impressive 52.565-second lap. His speed of 182.174 mph set a powerful tone for the upcoming Jack Link’s 500. Alongside him, veterans like Kyle Busch and Joey Logano are ready to challenge for victory. As the lineup takes shape, every second on the track matters. The action promises a thrilling clash of talent and tactics at one of NASCAR’s most famous tracks.
Key Highlights
- Zane Smith clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series pole with a 52.565-second lap at Talladega Superspeedway.
- Smith’s speed of 182.174 mph showcases his skill on the 2.66-mile oval track.
- His pole position sets a dynamic tone for the Jack Link’s 500 race.
- Kyle Busch qualified second, highlighting a duel between Smith’s youth and Busch’s experience.
- Front Row Motorsports‘ Smith leads a diverse and competitive race lineup.
Zane Smith’s Pole Win and Front Row Setup
Zane Smith clinched his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole position with an impressive 52.565-split lap at Talladega Superspeedway, clocking in at 182.174 mph. This remarkable achievement marks a noteworthy milestone in Smith’s expanding career, showcasing his skill and adaptability on the renowned 2.66-mile oval.
His performance secured him the pole and showed his potential to compete among NASCAR’s elite.
As the field prepares for the Jack Link’s 500, Smith’s pole win has set an thrilling tone for the race.
Accompanying him on the front row is the experienced Kyle Busch, who qualified third. Busch’s presence on the front row signals a formidable challenge, as he brings a wealth of experience and tactical insight to the race.
Official Starting Lineup for Jack Link’s 500
The official starting lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway reveals a fiercely competitive field.
| Pos | Car | Driver |
| 1 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 2 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 3 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 4 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 5 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 6 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 7 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 8 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 9 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 10 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 11 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 12 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 13 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 14 | 71 | |
| 15 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 16 | 24 | William Byron |
| 17 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 18 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 19 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 20 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 21 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 22 | 6 | |
| 23 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
| 24 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
| 25 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 26 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 27 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 28 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 29 | 42 | |
| 30 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 31 | 62 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 32 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 33 | 51 | Cody Ware |
| 34 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 35 | 47 | |
| 36 | 88 | |
| 37 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 38 | 78 | BJ McLeod |
| 39 | 44 | JJ Yeley |
Zane Smith, representing Front Row Motorsports, captured his initial career pole with an impressive lap time of 52.565 seconds, asserting his skill on the track. Following closely behind, Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing clocked in at 52.697 seconds, showcasing his relentless competitiveness.
Joey Logano and Ryan Preece both achieved identical lap times of 52.700 seconds, reflecting the razor-thin margins defining this race.
Austin Dillon, another contender from Richard Childress Racing, secured the fifth spot, while Chris Buescher and Austin Cindric filled the subsequent positions.
This array of teams, from RFK to Joe Gibbs Racing, highlights the diverse talent pool. Each driver will harness their tactical insight, as this lineup sets the stage for an exciting confrontation in the storied backdrop of Talladega Superspeedway.
News in Brief: Jack Link’s 500 Starting Lineup
Zane Smith’s remarkable performance at Talladega marked a pivotal moment in his racing career, claiming his inaugural pole position in the midst of a field of seasoned Cup Series competitors. This unexpected triumph not only set an exhilarating tone for the Jack Link’s 500 but also showed Smith’s developing potential on the track. As the official starting lineup takes shape, fans and fellow drivers alike anticipate an electrifying race, with Smith poised to challenge the established giants from the front row.
ALSO READ: Zane Smith Secures Major Sponsorship for Nashville and Iowa Showdowns
