As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for Sunday night’s Cracker Barrel 400, Chase Briscoe continued his impressive qualifying streak by clinching his third pole position of the 2025 season. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver set a blazing new track record on Saturday, turning a lap in just 29.125 seconds around the 1.33-mile oval. This achievement not only marked Briscoe’s second consecutive pole but also reset the benchmark for qualifying speed at Nashville, signaling a thrilling race ahead. With the race scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and coverage on Prime Video, fans have much to look forward to.
Chase Briscoe’s Dominance in Qualifying
Chase Briscoe’s performance in qualifying at Nashville was nothing short of spectacular. Coming off his pole position from last week’s Coca-Cola 600, Briscoe wasted no time showcasing his speed and skill. His 29.125-second lap shaved over four-tenths of a second off the previous track record held by Aric Almirola (29.557 seconds). This kind of improvement highlights both the evolution of the cars this season and Briscoe’s mastery of the track.
Driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe led the field with an impressive pace that left little doubt about his intentions for Sunday’s race. Not only was this his third pole of 2025, but it also continued a remarkable trend of consistent top performances during qualifying sessions. Starting up front gives Briscoe a strategic advantage to control the early race pace, avoid mid-pack incidents, and contend for his first win of the year.
Front Row and Top Contenders
Joining Briscoe on the front row will be his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin. Hamlin clocked in at 29.174 seconds to secure the second starting position, setting up a strong front-row duo for JGR. Following them on the grid is William Byron in third place, driving for Hendrick Motorsports. Byron has been one of the season’s strongest performers, and his qualifying spot places him well to challenge for the win.
Rounding out the top five starters are Tyler Reddick in fourth and Ross Chastain in fifth. Both drivers have been competitive throughout the season and are expected to be major factors as the race unfolds. Completing the top 10 were familiar names such as Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, and Chris Buescher—each capable of mixing it up for strong finishes.
The intensity of the qualifying session was evident as the top 12 drivers all beat the previous track record, underscoring the competitive nature of this NASCAR Cup Series season. Nashville’s 1.33-mile oval demands precision, and the drivers’ ability to post such fast times shows just how tuned-in the teams are.
Full Starting Lineup Overview and What to Watch For
The full starting lineup reveals a strong mix of veterans and young guns, setting the stage for an exciting race at Nashville. Chase Elliott qualified 11th, with Bubba Wallace and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. starting in the mid-teens. Names like Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Kyle Busch are all positioned within striking distance to make key moves during the race.
| Pos | No | Driver |
| 1 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 2 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 3 | 24 | William Byron |
| 4 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 5 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 6 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 7 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 8 | 71 | Michael McDowell |
| 9 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 10 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 11 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 12 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 13 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 14 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 15 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 16 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 17 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 18 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 19 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 20 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 21 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 22 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 23 | 88 | |
| 24 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 25 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 26 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 27 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 28 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 29 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 30 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 31 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 32 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
| 33 | 67 | Corey Heim |
| 34 | 51 | Cody Ware |
| 35 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 36 | 42 | |
| 37 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
| 38 | 44 | JJ Yeley |
| 39 | 66 | Chad Finchum |
Notably, some drivers who have struggled early in the season find themselves deeper in the field. For example, Kyle Larson, a three-time winner this year, starts 28th, presenting a challenge for him to navigate through traffic. Meanwhile, rookies like Corey Heim and JJ Yeley qualified toward the back but will be eager to make an impact.
A few notable points to watch during the race include how the Joe Gibbs Racing teammates leverage their front-row starting positions. Will Briscoe be able to convert his track record pole into a victory? Can Denny Hamlin use his experience and speed to challenge for the lead? And with seasoned drivers like Logano and Keselowski mixed throughout the top 10, strategy and pit stops will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the race outcome.
News in Brief: Full Starting Lineup Released for Cracker Barrel 400
The 2025 Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway promises to be a high-speed, action-packed race with Chase Briscoe starting on the pole after setting a blistering new track record. The strong qualifying performances by multiple drivers suggest close competition and plenty of on-track battles. Fans can expect strategic pit calls, fuel management drama, and a test of skill on this challenging intermediate track.
With coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video and radio broadcasts on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the race is accessible to fans nationwide. As the drivers line up behind the pace car, all eyes will be on Briscoe and his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin to see if they can translate their qualifying success into a win under the lights in Nashville.
The excitement is building for one of the most anticipated races of the 2025 Cup Series season—Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 is ready to deliver thrilling racing and showcase the best talent NASCAR has to offer.
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