William Byron secured the pole position for Sunday’s crucial Cup race at Martinsville Speedway, putting himself in a promising spot as he faces a must-win scenario to reach the Championship 4. This achievement adds momentum for Byron, as the William Byron Martinsville pole position could play a pivotal role in his playoff journey on the demanding Virginia short track.
Byron Sets the Fastest Lap in Qualifying
Byron captured the top starting spot with a lap at 98.185 mph, marking his third pole of the current season and the 16th of his Cup career. After qualifying, Byron commented,
“It’s nice but it doesn’t count for anything yet,”
Byron said.
“We’ve prepared well for coming here. Feel good about my race car. … Going good so far.”
William Byron will lead the playoff field on Sunday, but the pressure remains high with his championship hopes on the line.
Playoff Rivals and Starting Lineup Dynamics
Ty Gibbs earned the second starting spot with a near-matching lap of 98.175 mph, while other playoff contenders filled out the front of the grid. Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin qualified third, fourth, and fifth, demonstrating how competitive the field remains as the pursuit for a Championship 4 berth intensifies.
Chase Elliott took the eighth spot in qualifying, while Chase Briscoe landed ninth. Christopher Bell will start 12th, and Ryan Blaney, who struggled earlier this year at Martinsville, qualified a distant 31st—the same position he started in at the spring race. For Byron, Logano, Blaney, and Elliott, Sunday’s event presents a must-win challenge if they hope to keep their championship dreams alive.
Joey Logano noted,
“Our long run speed was less than great, so we’ve got some work to do there,”
Joey Logano, driver. The pressure is on both drivers and teams to adapt quickly and deliver flawless performances when the green flag drops.
Broadcast and What’s at Stake
The race will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, with pre-race coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET and the main event scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET. As the playoff field narrows, the outcome of this race at Martinsville Speedway could dramatically influence who advances to the Championship 4. The intensity will be felt across the track, as every move on Sunday could determine this season’s finalist in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series.
