Chase Briscoe secured the pole position with a strong qualifying run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading the NASCAR Cup Series Indianapolis qualifying results ahead of the anticipated Brickyard 400. The session saw dramatic moments, including Denny Hamlin‘s high-speed crash while he was on a pole-contending lap, shaking up the lineup for Sunday’s big race.
Key Highlights from Qualifying Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series drivers took to the legendary 2.5-mile oval, all aiming to secure top starting spots for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chase Briscoe set the benchmark by clocking a lap at 49.136 seconds with an average speed of 183.165 mph, earning him the coveted number one grid spot. Briscoe’s performance put him ahead of a talented field that included Bubba Wallace, Erik Jones, and Tyler Reddick, who all qualified within tenths of a second behind him.
The qualifying event was unexpectedly intense, especially during Denny Hamlin’s run as the final qualifier. Hamlin, a regular front-runner, was on track for a potential pole when a misstep sent him into the outside wall before bouncing violently into the inside barrier as well. Although Hamlin was unable to log a time, his initial lap splits indicated he was competing for the fastest run until the incident stopped him short.
Starting Lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400
The starting grid for the NASCAR Cup Series Indianapolis event is packed with powerhouse drivers and rising stars. Here is a detailed look at the top twenty qualifiers:
1. Chase Briscoe – 49.136
2. Bubba Wallace – 49.149
3. Erik Jones – 49.248
4. Tyler Reddick – 49.267
5. Ty Gibbs – 49.330
6. William Byron – 49.442
7. Chris Buescher – 49.447
8. Carson Hocevar – 49.495
9. AJ Allmendinger – 49.499
10. Austin Cindric – 49.499
11. Shane van Gisbergen – 49.591
12. Kyle Busch – 49.595
13. Kyle Larson – 49.617
14. Brad Keselowski – 49.629
15. Joey Logano – 49.693
16. Christopher Bell – 49.795
17. Josh Berry – 49.830
18. Noah Gragson – 49.894
19. Todd Gilliland – 49.941
20. Austin Dillon – 49.949
The remainder of the 39-car field includes the likes of Alex Bowman, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece, Ryan Blaney, Riley Herbst, Ty Dillon, and others such as Ross Chastain, Cody Ware, Jesse Love, and Katherine Legge. Notably, Denny Hamlin will be listed with “No Time” due to his qualifying wreck, placing him at the back of the grid.
Drivers to Watch and the Impact of Hamlin’s Crash
Chase Briscoe’s pole-winning run gives him a crucial advantage at the drop of the green flag, while contenders like Bubba Wallace and Erik Jones are well-positioned to challenge early. Ty Gibbs, William Byron, and Chris Buescher are also poised for strong starts after impressive lap times during qualifying.
Denny Hamlin’s crash delivered a significant twist. His absence from the front row leaves his playoff hopes further complicated and puts extra pressure on him and his team to work their way forward in race conditions. Other standout drivers, such as Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano, will be looking to capitalize on strong starting positions and the unexpected void left by Hamlin at the sharp end of the grid.
What Lies Ahead for the NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis
The stakes are high as the NASCAR Cup Series field takes the green at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the Brickyard 400 serving as one of the crown jewels of the season. Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, and Erik Jones will try to harness the momentum from their qualifying performances. Meanwhile, the aftermath of Denny Hamlin’s crash adds unpredictability to the race as strategies evolve and drivers adapt to the shuffled lineup.
With big names scattered throughout the grid and emotions running high following the dramatic qualifying session, fans can expect a fiercely competitive Brickyard 400 that could further shape the playoff picture in the NASCAR Cup Series this season.
