AJ Allmendinger secured a dramatic and unexpected pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, marking his first Cup pole in nine years. Allmendinger, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, topped the qualifying field and will lead the starters at the iconic night event.
The pressure was palpable as Allmendinger awaited his fate, admitting to TNT Sports he closed his eyes while Denny Hamlin completed his laps. When he finally checked the results, Allmendinger realized he would begin Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at the front, an outcome he described as nearly unbelievable after his qualifying performance of 15.117 seconds edged Ryan Blaney by a margin of just 0.003 seconds. Allmendinger’s last Cup pole dated back to 2015 at Watkins Glen, ending a drought spanning 225 starts.
Allmendinger’s Long-Awaited Pole and Kaulig Racing’s Triumph
For Allmendinger, the significance of Friday’s success went far beyond his personal record. Despite ranking 21st in the current drivers’ standings and competing outside the playoff bracket, the pole position represents a meaningful accomplishment for both him and Kaulig Racing. He expressed surprise at the achievement, adding humor and humility to the moment:
“Every old dog has his day, or something like that,”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Securing the pole at Bristol was a special moment for both Allmendinger and his team.
“To get a pole at Bristol? That’s pretty awesome.”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
In a sport where smaller teams face constant challenges, Allmendinger stressed the importance of small victories for morale and momentum.
“This Cup series is tough, especially when you’re a smaller team trying to grow,”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
He further highlighted the importance of their accomplishment:
“Little victories like this means a lot to us.”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Allmendinger’s history at the high-banked, half-mile oval includes a ninth-place finish in the spring race, underscoring consistent performance at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Key Qualifying Results and Roster Shifts
Alex Bowman, who had earned back-to-back poles at Bristol previously, struggled during this session and will start from the 15th position. Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet crew, working with significant changes in personnel just ahead of the playoff Round of 16 cutoff, faces an uphill battle as the team sits 35 points below the cut line. Practice sessions were led by Justin Haley and Ryan Blaney, both posting competitive lap times of 15.307 seconds, with Carson Hocevar just 0.002 seconds behind them.
This year’s field is packed with high-profile talent, all with eyes on the prestigious Bass Pro Shops Night Race trophy. Notably, 16 drivers are still chasing championship hopes as the round’s finale looms.
Kyle Larson Eyes Another Bristol Dominance
Kyle Larson, a former series champion and consistent Bristol frontrunner, is looking to build on his impressive record at the venue. In his last two visits to Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson has led an astonishing 87 percent of the total laps. Earlier this season, Larson dominated by leading 411 of 500 laps, and during the 2024 postseason opener, he led 462 laps in a single race. To date, he has paced 1,762 laps at Bristol—more than at any other track in his NASCAR Cup Series career.
Only four Cup drivers in the history of the sport have claimed three consecutive wins at Bristol, placing Larson’s potential achievement in rare company. He shared his feelings about the unique excitement of the Bristol Night Race:
“The atmosphere is always up for the (Bristol) Night Race,”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson emphasized the personal value of this race:
“The night race just means more to me. It’s not considered a crown jewel, but in my mind, it’s the one I want to win really badly every year.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Given his recent dominance at this venue, Larson is a clear favorite, and his performance will be closely watched as drivers grapple for playoff positioning.
Full Starting Lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race
The official lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol features a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Here are the starting positions and drivers:
1. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
2. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
3. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
4. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
5. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
6. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
7. William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
8. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
9. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
10. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
12. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
13. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
14. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
15. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
16. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
17. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
18. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
19. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
20. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
21. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
22. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
23. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
24. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
25. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
26. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
27. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
28. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
29. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
30. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
31. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
32. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
33. Austin Hill, No. 33 Chevrolet
34. Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
35. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
36. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
37. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
38. Corey Heim, No. 67 Toyota
39. Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford
With the stakes higher than ever and the atmosphere at Bristol Motor Speedway as charged as always, the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Night Race promises to deliver intense action. The outcome will not only affect individual careers, such as that of AJ Allmendinger, but also shape the championship run as drivers vie for supremacy under the lights. Fans can expect heightened competition and potential surprises as the field takes on one of NASCAR’s most storied tracks.
