Denny Hamlin has secured his place as the top contender for NASCAR pole positions, outpacing his rivals in the pole award standings as the sport turns its attention to the upcoming 2026 season. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver leads an elite group of stock car racing drivers, making his performance a central focus for fans and teams alike as the next chapter in the NASCAR Cup Series approaches.
Hamlin’s Impressive Lead in NASCAR Pole Positions
The previous year brought unexpected highs and lows to the NASCAR world, with Denny Hamlin encountering both success and disappointment. As the 2025 season drew to a close, Hamlin, despite narrowly missing a long-awaited championship victory, emerged at the top of the pole sitter leaderboard. His dominance in qualifying has been a constant throughout his time with Joe Gibbs Racing, a team he has represented since his 2005 NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Leading the current field, Hamlin has achieved a remarkable total of 48 pole positions over the course of 721 starts, standing as the most for any active driver in the series. His very first pole came during his rookie campaign at Phoenix Raceway, where he drove the #11 Chevrolet with a best lap of 26.831 seconds. While he finished that particular race just outside the top ten in thirteenth position, Hamlin’s consistent speed has defined his career. In the recent 2025 season, he further showcased his form by claiming five pole awards and finishing tantalizingly close to his maiden championship title.
Top Five Active Drivers in the Pole Leaderboard
NASCAR’s leaderboard for pole positions currently features an illustrious lineup of champions and race-winning veterans, each with distinct achievements. With anticipation building for the 2026 Cup Series, here are the five active drivers setting the standard in pole award performance:
- Denny Hamlin — Joe Gibbs Racing’s star has accumulated 48 pole positions in 721 starts, symbolizing his speed and reliability in qualifying. His journey, which began with a standout rookie year, has consistently placed him among the top contenders in the sport. Though Hamlin finished the recent season outside the top ten at Phoenix, his strong 2025 showing with five pole awards highlights his ongoing relevance.
- Jimmie Johnson — Former Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson stands second on the list, securing 36 pole awards. Johnson, who entered the Cup Series in 2001, boasts an impressive record that includes seven championship titles and returning to the grid part-time for Legacy Motor Club following his 2020 retirement. Johnson’s initial pole came at Daytona’s Great American Race in 2002, with a notable lap speed on the 2.5-mile oval. Despite a P15 finish in that race, his 2008 season marked his best qualifying year, claiming six pole positions.
- Kyle Busch — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch holds the third spot with 34 pole positions over 750 starts and 22 years of competition. Known for his resilience despite recent challenges, Busch has also achieved 63 Cup Series victories, accompanied by an impressive tally of top-five and top-ten results. In the Xfinity Series, his record is even more dominant, with 70 poles in 367 races, in addition to 23 pole awards in the Craftsman Truck Series and victories across all three divisions.
- Joey Logano — 2024’s Cup Series champion, Joey Logano, follows closely with 33 pole positions. Racing for Team Penske, Logano remains a serious threat in qualifying and possesses a career that includes 615 total races, 37 wins, 174 top-fives, and 300 top-tens. With a narrow gap separating him from Busch in the standings, Logano could well advance up the leaderboard in 2026. His most recent campaign saw him finish seventh overall, underscoring his consistency.
- Brad Keselowski — Despite recent seasons that have not met his usual high standards, Brad Keselowski, driving the #6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing since 2022, sits fifth on the pole leaderboard. Keselowski has 18 pole positions from 593 starts in the Cup Series, having achieved the majority of his poles while driving Team Penske’s #2 car, where he amassed 34 poles in 396 starts. He also boasts 22 Xfinity Series pole awards, 39 wins, and clinched a championship in 2010.
What Sets These Drivers Apart on the Track
Securing pole positions in the Cup Series is a testament to a driver’s speed, consistency, and mastery during qualifying runs. Denny Hamlin’s ongoing success continues to command respect in the garage and provides valuable momentum heading into each new season. Meanwhile, veterans like Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch have demonstrated career longevity and adaptability, with numerous accomplishments both on and off the front row.
Racers such as Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have also shown their prowess over the years, combining pole-winning performances with championship-level racecraft. Their achievements highlight the depth of talent and competition that defines modern NASCAR and underscore the value of securing strong starting positions in each round.
Anticipation Builds for the 2026 NASCAR Season
With Denny Hamlin NASCAR pole positions continuing to set the pace, the stakes will be high as drivers seek to climb the leaderboard and cement their place in NASCAR history. As the new season approaches, fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if established champions can extend their legacies, or if rising talents will disrupt the current order. The race for pole awards promises intense competition and dramatic moments as NASCAR’s best line up for qualifying glory.
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