AJ Allmendinger returned to NASCAR Cup Series pole position glory for the first time in a decade, seizing the top qualifying spot at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet driver set a standout lap of 15.117 seconds, marking an impressive milestone and placing him narrowly ahead of championship contender Ryan Blaney, a highlight in the current racing season and significant for the AJ Allmendinger Bristol pole position story.
Allmendinger Outpaces Rivals in Tight Bristol Qualifying
A remarkable qualifying session on Friday saw Allmendinger beat out 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney by a mere 0.003 seconds, securing the pole at a speed of 126.930 mph. This achievement ends a decade-long gap since Allmendinger’s last Cup Series pole, with the competitive field underscoring the pressure and skill involved. Despite missing the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff field and occupying 21st in the championship standings, Allmendinger’s performance surprised many, including himself. Reflecting on his lap, he humorously shared,
“I don’t know, I closed my eyes for both [laps], so I’m not really sure,”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver.
He offered further insight about the session:
“Man, this Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet in practice was pretty good, and this place is so tough to qualify, but the first lap she stuck and I looked at the dash and thought ‘okay, that’s a pretty good lap, so I’m going to try for more on the second’.
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver.
While focused on the 500 laps ahead at a track famous for its history and challenges, the 43-year-old veteran embraced the accomplishment with enthusiasm, emphasizing the special nature of winning a Bristol pole:
“I know it’s just qualifying, we got 500 laps around this place, but to get a pole at Bristol, that’s pretty awesome,”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver.
NASCAR and the World Since Allmendinger’s Last Pole
Comparing 2015, when Allmendinger last claimed a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Watkins Glen International, to today reveals sweeping changes within the sport and broader world events. Notably, NASCAR has evolved with the introduction of stage racing in 2017, now a fundamental part of the Playoff format rewarding top-10 finishers and stage winners, a system absent during Allmendinger’s previous pole run.
Championship landscapes have shifted significantly as well. At that time, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, and Martin Truex Jr. had yet to earn their titles, with Busch’s maiden championship coming at the end of 2015 after returning from injuries earlier in the season. Since then, the trio has accumulated six championships between them, and Martin Truex Jr. has retired after the 2024 season.
Kyle Larson, the 2021 champion, was still searching for his first NASCAR Cup Series victory when Allmendinger was last a pole winner, but has since amassed 32 premier race wins. Rising stars showcase generational shifts, with Connor Zilisch, a standout rookie with nine NASCAR Xfinity Series victories this season, being only nine years old during Allmendinger’s 2015 pole—ironically at Watkins Glen, where Zilisch secured his first Xfinity win last year.
Major Events Outside NASCAR: From Presidents to Pop Culture
Looking beyond the racetrack, the span since Allmendinger’s previous pole encompasses three United States presidential election cycles. Barack Obama was completing his presidency, followed by Donald Trump’s election in 2017, Joe Biden’s presidency beginning in 2021, and Trump returning as President in 2025—joining Grover Cleveland as the second U.S. President to regain office after a lost reelection bid.
Economic milestones marked this period: Apple became the world’s first $1 trillion company in 2018, reshaping corporate valuation benchmarks. Everyday consumer costs also shifted, with gas averaging $2.62 per gallon, milk at $3.39, and eggs at $2.97 back in 2015.
In popular culture, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation dominated the box office, and Omi’s “Cheerleader” topped the Billboard Hot 100. Globally, notable events included Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 and the United Kingdom‘s departure from the European Union, known as Brexit, officially taking place on January 31, 2020.
Chances for a Bristol Race Win and Allmendinger’s Track Record
As Allmendinger leads the field at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, attention turns to whether he can convert his AJ Allmendinger Bristol pole position into a race victory. Winning at Bristol would be especially significant, as Allmendinger has never won a NASCAR Cup Series race on an oval track—his Cup victories have all come on road courses, namely Watkins Glen (2014), Indianapolis (2021), and Charlotte ROVAL (2023).
Bristol Motor Speedway has presented considerable challenges for Allmendinger, who holds only three top-10 finishes in 26 Cup Series starts at the venue, with all three in his last decade of attempts and a best result of seventh. Despite this, his recent improvements and strong qualifying pace suggest he could play spoiler among Playoff contenders on Saturday night.
The Broader Significance of Allmendinger’s Pole and What’s at Stake
AJ Allmendinger’s Bristol pole renews his place in NASCAR’s spotlight and highlights the ever-changing nature of the sport since his previous qualifying triumph. With a storied field—including names like Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Kyle Larson—and the unpredictable dynamics of short-track racing, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race offers Allmendinger a rare chance to defy his past Bristol statistics. As fans and competitors watch, this achievement underscores how perseverance and adaptability remain crucial in NASCAR, particularly as the series continues to evolve alongside broader cultural and economic changes.
