AJ Allmendinger defied expectations by earning the pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway, ending a 13-year wait for an oval pole and seizing attention in the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying. The AJ Allmendinger Bristol oval pole achievement comes as a surprise, especially with the spotlight previously on championship hopefuls like Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin.
Unexpected Pole as Favorites Stumble at Bristol
Heading into the high-energy qualifying at the iconic 0.533-mile Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR fans and analysts anticipated another display of dominance from well-known names such as Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. These stars, racing for powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, have had remarkable records on short tracks. However, both ended up starting just outside the front row for the upcoming Bass Pro Shops Night Race, placing fifth and sixth respectively. Their lukewarm qualifying runs opened the door for a dramatic twist as AJ Allmendinger, not in this year’s playoff grid, stormed to the top of the board.
After returning to full-time Cup Series competition in 2025 with Kaulig Racing, Allmendinger delivered six top-tens and two top-5 finishes over the season, reigniting hopes of playoff contention. Falling just short of joining the playoff chase, Allmendinger set his sights on maximizing every remaining opportunity, and Bristol turned out to be the ideal stage.
Allmendinger’s Long-Awaited Oval Breakthrough
Well regarded for his prowess on road courses—counting victories at Watkins Glen, Indianapolis, and Charlotte among his three Cup Series wins and 18 Xfinity Series trips to victory lane—Allmendinger’s resume has been notably light on oval pole positions. His most recent moment of oval qualifying glory before Bristol arrived in April 2012 at Kansas Speedway, where he edged the competition for Penske Racing by 0.043 seconds. Since then, a 13-year drought ensued, making Saturday’s result all the more dramatic.
As the excitement around the 16 playoff drivers soared, Allmendinger lapped the half-mile Bristol oval in 15.117 seconds during qualifying. This accomplishment marked not only his fifth career Cup Series pole, but also his first since securing the top spot at Watkins Glen in 2015. Reflecting on his qualifying lap, Allmendinger shared the intensity and uncertainty of the moment:
I don’t know, I closed my eyes at a couple points. I’m not really sure. This Chevy was pretty good in practice, and this place is so tough to qualify. The first lap, she stuck and I looked down at the dash like okay, that’s a pretty good lap. I know it’s just qualifying. We got 500 laps around this place but to get a pole at Bristol is pretty awesome.
—AJ Allmendinger, NASCAR Cup Series driver
The significance of breaking his oval qualifying dry spell was not lost on Allmendinger or his Kaulig Racing team. Expressing pride in his crew and the uphill fight faced by a smaller operation, he offered further insight into what the moment meant:
Every old dog has his day. Hopefully we can do that for 500 laps, but I’m super proud of all the men and women at Kaulig Racing. We’ve been building fast cars all year, and this Cup Series is tough — especially when you’re a small team trying to grow. Little victories like this — even though it’s qualifying — means a lot to us.
—AJ Allmendinger, NASCAR Cup Series driver
This shock result disrupts expectations for the night race, placing drivers like Kyle Larson, playoff contender Denny Hamlin, and others on alert that a new force has emerged. The unpredictability of NASCAR comes alive at Bristol, where Allmendinger will try to turn his qualifying pace into race-day success and possibly upend the playoff narrative.
Playoff Picture Intensifies as Other Drivers Seek Redemption
While Allmendinger stole headlines, the focus for many remains on those vying to advance deeper in the playoffs. Josh Berry, representing Wood Brothers Racing, became one of the season’s feel-good stories earlier in the year, taking his maiden Cup Series victory in March. Yet, the journey since that high has been challenging: after his breakthrough at Kansas, Berry managed only three additional top-10 finishes at Daytona and Richmond, with inconsistencies and crashes setting him back. Currently, he trails the playoff elimination line by 45 points, sitting lowest among postseason hopefuls.
Berry’s fortunes could have been different if not for a string of misfortunes. In the prestigious Southern 500, he crashed out early despite a front-row start, and at Gateway, a mistake by Chase Elliott caused a second straight crash. Despite these setbacks, Berry remains hopeful for the Bristol showdown, echoing the resilience required to survive NASCAR’s grueling post-season.
Now, if we want to advance to the next round we need to win, but we could lead 400 laps Saturday night and blow an engine or have a flat tire and I don’t think any of us on Monday would be disappointed because we ran good. The biggest thing is we just need to run well and be in contention on Saturday night and see what happens from there.
—Josh Berry, NASCAR Cup Series driver
This mindset underlines the intense, high-stakes environment Bristol creates, especially for drivers fighting for their playoff lives. As contenders navigate the tight confines and unpredictable action of the short track, every lap becomes magnified in importance.
Implications for the Night Race and Beyond
Allmendinger’s pole win at Bristol stands as a powerful reminder of how quickly narratives can shift in motorsports. The AJ Allmendinger Bristol oval pole accomplishment disrupts the expectations set by favorites like Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin and introduces a wave of excitement for both fans and competitors. For Kaulig Racing, this qualifying victory is a morale boost, reaffirming the organization’s progress in the face of formidable opposition from established teams.
As the Bass Pro Shops Night Race unfolds, drivers and teams will need to adapt quickly to shifting momentum. All eyes will be on whether AJ Allmendinger can capitalize on his starting position and turn this breakthrough into a lasting run of form, while playoff hopefuls such as Josh Berry battle to survive another round. Bristol, with its high drama and relentless pace, promises to deliver the emotional, unpredictable moments that define NASCAR’s postseason and captivate the sports fan community watching across America.
