Denny Hamlin was denied NASCAR pole position at Nashville after a dramatic qualifying session for the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe narrowly taking the top spot. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, faced a difficult outing, setting the stage for a challenging race ahead.
Chase Briscoe Surges to Second Consecutive Pole
In a tightly contested battle on Saturday, Chase Briscoe clinched pole position for Sunday’s race, marking his second pole in as many weeks after also qualifying fastest at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. Briscoe, driving Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota, posted a lap just 0.049 seconds quicker than teammate Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 car, earning the right to lead the field when the green flag drops at Nashville Superspeedway. Although Briscoe has shown formidable pace, he is looking to capitalize on this momentum and turn a strong qualifying performance into a race victory, something that eluded him last weekend.
Uncertainty Looms Over Denny Hamlin’s Race Start
Despite a stellar lap, Denny Hamlin must settle for starting second, though there is still uncertainty about his participation. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver remains on standby, prepared to miss Sunday’s race to be present for the birth of his baby son. This personal commitment introduces a variable for the team, as a replacement may be required at short notice depending on the timing of the birth.
Kyle Larson’s Nightmare Continues
Kyle Larson endured another tough session at Nashville after a disappointing double-duty weekend, where two crashes marred his performances last Sunday. Larson could manage only the 28th fastest lap in his Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet, leaving him with considerable work to do on race day if he hopes to recover and secure a notable result. The subpar qualifying adds to a string of recent setbacks for the former champion, increasing pressure on both the driver and his team.
Detailed Starting Grid for Cracker Barrel 400
The full qualifying results for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway highlight the intense competition up and down the grid. Key contenders and storylines emerge from the list, including standout performances from William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain. The introduction of varied manufacturers, with highlights for Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet, underscores the depth of the field.
Top 10 Starters:
1. Chase Briscoe (#19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – 29.125 sec
2. Denny Hamlin (#11, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – +0.049 sec
3. William Byron (#24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – +0.182 sec
4. Tyler Reddick (#45, 23XI Racing Toyota) – +0.183 sec
5. Ross Chastain (#1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) – +0.185 sec
6. Brad Keselowski (#6, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford) – +0.252 sec
7. Christopher Bell (#20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – +0.262 sec
8. Michael McDowell (#71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet) – +0.272 sec
9. Joey Logano (#22, Team Penske Ford) – +0.309 sec
10. Chris Buescher (#17, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford) – +0.318 sec
The rest of the field features familiar names such as Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric, stretching back through a highly competitive mix of veterans and emerging talents. Notably, Kyle Busch will start in 25th, while Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Bowman make up part of the mid-field lineup. Bringing up the rear are drivers such as JJ Yeley and Chad Finchum, who rounded out qualifying.
Race Day Expectations and Storylines to Watch
The denied pole position for Denny Hamlin sets a compelling tone for the Cracker Barrel 400, amplifying anticipation around both his participation and Joe Gibbs Racing’s strategic response. Chase Briscoe’s surge underscores a resurgence for the team, while Kyle Larson’s struggles with the No. 5 add intrigue to Hendrick Motorsports’ outlook. With top contenders from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, Sunday’s race at Nashville Superspeedway is poised to deliver intense action and fresh drama in the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series season.
