AJ Allmendinger earned the pole position for the upcoming race at Bristol Motor Speedway, after posting a swift 15.117-second lap during NASCAR Cup Series qualifying. The announcement of the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol starting lineup follows an intense round of practice and time trials as drivers prepare to compete on the famed half-mile track in Bristol, Tennessee.
Competitive Qualifying Decides Starting Order
The atmosphere was charged as Cup Series drivers put everything on the line in qualifying. Allmendinger’s performance edged out Ryan Blaney for the top spot, with Blaney recording a close second at 15.120 seconds. Austin Cindric secured third with a 15.132-second run, followed by Ty Gibbs at 15.142 seconds and Kyle Larson rounding out the top five at 15.148 seconds. Other notable qualifiers include Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, and Josh Berry—all within tenths of a second, underlining the fiercely competitive session.
Full Starting Lineup for Bristol’s Night Race
The full NASCAR Cup Series Bristol starting lineup showcases both experienced contenders and rising talents. Drivers set to roll off in top positions include Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, and Justin Haley inside the top 20. Brad Keselowski, John Hunter Nemechek, Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, and Austin Dillon will also be watched closely as the action unfolds. The lineup is as follows:
1. AJ Allmendinger – 15.117
2. Ryan Blaney – 15.120
3. Austin Cindric – 15.132
4. Ty Gibbs – 15.142
5. Kyle Larson – 15.148
6. Denny Hamlin – 15.191
7. William Byron – 15.206
8. Bubba Wallace – 15.208
9. Christopher Bell – 15.214
10. Josh Berry – 15.214
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 15.220
12. Carson Hocevar – 15.222
13. Ross Chastain – 15.239
14. Tyler Reddick – 15.246
15. Alex Bowman – 15.258
16. Chase Elliott – 15.271
17. Justin Haley – 15.272
18. Brad Keselowski – 15.273
19. John Hunter Nemechek – 15.273
20. Ryan Preece – 15.281
21. Chris Buescher – 15.290
22. Joey Logano – 15.298
23. Austin Dillon – 15.332
24. Zane Smith – 15.344
25. Michael McDowell – 15.361
26. Cole Custer – 15.375
27. Erik Jones – 15.388
28. Shane van Gisbergen – 15.396
29. Riley Herbst – 15.397
30. Noah Gragson – 15.402
31. Chase Briscoe – 15.431
32. Kyle Busch – 15.432
33. Austin Hill – 15.480
34. Cody Ware – 15.600
35. Daniel Suarez – 15.612
36. Todd Gilliland – 15.631
37. Ty Dillon – 15.657
38. Corey Heim – 15.673
39. Chad Finchum – 16.054
What the Results Mean for the Race Ahead
AJ Allmendinger’s strong qualifying effort places him at the front of a competitive field, setting the tone for an exciting night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Established drivers like Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson will be looking to capitalize on their starting positions, while emerging talents such as Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, and Zane Smith hope to shake up the running order. The final grid highlights just how tight the margins are among Cup Series competitors, with fractions of a second separating most drivers. All eyes now turn to Bristol, where this NASCAR Cup Series event will not only test speed but also strategy and composure under pressure, with every starter seeking an edge in the race for the checkered flag.
