Joey Logano achieved a milestone during Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Phoenix Raceway, securing the pole position with a record-setting lap for the Next Gen cars. Logano’s remarkable run made him the new standard-bearer at the track for the Gen 7 era, continuing his strong track record and showcasing the impact of recent performance upgrades in the Cup Series.
Logano Rewrites the Gen 7 Record Book at Phoenix
Achieving a blistering 135.537 mph lap in 26.561 seconds, Joey Logano surpassed the prior Phoenix Next Gen pole mark established by Martin Truex Jr during the 2024 championship race. Truex Jr’s previous best had been 26.718 seconds at 134.741 mph. The jump in speeds comes after NASCAR increased Cup Series engine output from 670 to 750 horsepower for the 2026 season, a move designed to boost performance across tracks including Phoenix Raceway.
Though Logano’s impressive effort stands out in the Gen 7 record books, the overall track record at Phoenix remains untouched. Jimmie Johnson set this all-time benchmark back in 2015, turning a lap of 25.147 seconds at 143.158 mph—a feat enabled by the combination of high horsepower and significant downforce permitted at that time.
Highlights from Practice and Qualifying Preparation
Several drivers displayed notable speed in practice sessions leading up to qualifying. Daniel Suarez posted the fastest single lap at 26.877 seconds. Chris Buescher excelled over long runs with the best average lap of 27.771 seconds. Carson Hocevar recorded the top 5-lap average, clocking in at 27.071 seconds, while Austin Cindric dominated the 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-lap averages, the best among competitors during extended practice runs. Ross Chastain locked in the quickest 30-lap average at 28.119 seconds, hinting at the potential for strong race pace.
Incidents and Penalties Affect Starting Lineup
Pre-race preparations were not without incident. Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Riley Herbst all experienced flat tires in practice. The issue prevented Keselowski from making a qualifying attempt, relegating him to the back of the grid. Tyler Reddick suffered a spin during practice but escaped without damaging his car, preserving his eighth-place start.
Zane Smith’s entry was penalized for making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody ahead of qualifying. The infraction led to the ejection of car chief Will Norris from the event, and Smith’s car will be required to begin at the tail of the field and serve a drive-through penalty after the green flag drops.
“The No. 38 in the NASCAR Cup Series was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments. The vehicle was reinspected prior to practice/qualifying session. The No. 38 car chief (Will Norris) has been ejected from the Phoenix…” — NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms)
Who to Keep an Eye On at Phoenix
Team Penske has solidified its reputation at Phoenix since the Next Gen car debut, consistently performing with both superior qualifying and race pace. Penske drivers are set to start from the first, third, and fifth grid positions—placing them as the presumptive favorites entering the race. Daniel Suarez’s qualifying pace and Austin Cindric’s race run averages further spotlight the team’s dominance in preparations.
Among individual standouts, Tyler Reddick arrives in Phoenix with hopes to claim his fourth consecutive win. Although Reddick’s historic results at the venue are modest, a starting spot of eighth and sustained momentum make him a genuine contender. Christopher Bell, a recognized expert on short tracks and last year’s event winner, will chase another Phoenix victory from the twelfth position. Denny Hamlin, after coming close to victory in the previous championship finale and starting eleventh this weekend, remains a driver to watch despite a less impressive practice showing.
Additional names pushing for top performances include Ross Chastain, Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry, and Kyle Larson, all of whom demonstrated strong laps or averages in practice and are poised to factor into the race narrative.
The Road Ahead at Phoenix Raceway
With Joey Logano’s new Next Gen pole record at Phoenix, intensified horsepower, and competitive teams like Team Penske and rivals including Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin on the grid, the 2026 Cup Series event promises to be a landmark race at one of NASCAR’s key short tracks. As teams adjust to updated engines and evolving strategies, the coming race will determine if Logano’s pace carries through to victory or if championship hopefuls like Reddick or Bell can find their own edge at the famed track. The evolving landscape at Phoenix ensures the spotlight stays bright on every lap, as records continue to fall and reputations are set.
The No. 38 in the NASCAR Cup Series was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments. The vehicle was reinspected prior to practice/qualifying session.
The No. 38 car chief (Will Norris) has been ejected from the Phoenix…— NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms) March 7, 2026
