Joey Logano secured the top starting position for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, after taking the Joey Logano Busch Light Pole on Saturday at the 1-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona. This achievement marks Logano’s third Busch Light Pole Award at the venue, positioning him at the front of the field for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series showdown.
Logano Leads Fast Field in Phoenix Qualifying
Logano, representing Team Penske in the No. 22 Ford, posted the fastest qualifying lap at 135.537 mph, outpacing defending series champion Kyle Larson, who will start beside him after a 134.943 mph run. The front of the grid is stacked with talent: Austin Cindric took third with 134.675 mph, Daniel Suárez grabbed fourth at 134.610 mph, and last fall’s Phoenix winner, Ryan Blaney, starts fifth after a 134.595 mph effort. Other notable qualifiers include Ross Chastain (134.544 mph), Carson Hocevar (134.539 mph), points leader Tyler Reddick (134.394 mph), William Byron (134.373 mph), and Josh Berry (134.258 mph), all starting inside the top 10 for Sunday’s event.
Practice Highlights and Spire Motorsports’ Performance
Prior to qualifying, Daniel Suárez demonstrated strong pace by topping the practice charts for Spire Motorsports, clocking a 133.944 mph lap. Carson Hocevar followed closely with a 133.526 mph run. Chase Briscoe (133.417 mph), Ross Chastain (133.353 mph), and Austin Cindric (133.333 mph) were among the quickest in practice, with Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, and Michael McDowell rounding out the top 10 speeds. The high competition level in practice signaled a tightly matched field heading into qualifying.
Incidents During Practice Session
The session was not without mishaps; Tyler Reddick, who had claimed victory in the first three Cup races in 2026, spun out in Turns 1 and 2 late in the practice. Tire troubles affected several drivers, including Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher from RFK Racing, as well as Riley Herbst from 23XI Racing, who all experienced tire issues during the session. Despite these challenges, most competitors recovered in time to qualify for Sunday’s main event.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Race
As Joey Logano prepares to take the green flag at Phoenix Raceway, the mix of experienced champions and emerging stars in the top 10 sets the stage for a competitive Straight Talk Wireless 500. Fans and teams are watching to see if Logano can translate his Busch Light Pole position into a winning drive or if challengers like Kyle Larson, Austin Cindric, or Daniel Suárez will seize the opportunity on race day. The Phoenix oval promises another memorable chapter in the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series season.
