Atlanta NASCAR Cup Qualifying: Ford Dominates the Grid

In a remarkable display of speed and precision, Ford drivers secured the top eight positions during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Leading the charge was Team Penske’s Joey Logano, who clinched the pole position after a tense battle with Josh Berry, driver of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford. Despite Berry tying with Logano in qualifying times, the advantage went to Logano due to his higher standing in owner’s points, securing him the coveted front spot.

Strategic Insights from the Pole Sitter

Expressing confidence, Logano remarked, “All of us are operating with similar setups, and it’s clear that Team Penske has mastered the art of building competitive cars. Our top four qualifiers all share this commonality.” The two-time winner at Atlanta emphasized the importance of engine performance, praising Roush-Yates engines for their speed during qualifying. “They’re quick in these sessions, but the real test is how they perform during the race,” he added.

Qualifying Results and Notable Performers

Following Logano and Berry, the top five was rounded out by Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Preece. The remainder of the top ten featured Brad Keselowski, Cole Custer, Zane Smith, Alex Bowman, and Chase Briscoe. Notably, Bowman, in ninth place, was the highest-placed non-Ford driver, underscoring Ford’s dominance in this qualifying session.

Weather Challenges and Safety Precautions

Despite clear skies at the track, ominous lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius of the 1.5-mile oval prompted NASCAR officials to pause qualifying early on. At that point, 14 cars had completed their runs. For safety reasons, the session was halted for 30 minutes before resuming. This precautionary measure ensured the safety of drivers and crews amid the threatening weather conditions.

Performance Highlights and Incidents

At the time of the lightning delay, Cole Custer was leading the pack with a strong lap in the No. 41 Haas Factory Ford. Although his time was competitive, it was eventually surpassed as other Ford drivers improved their positions. No major accidents occurred during qualifying, but there were a few tense moments: Michael McDowell brushed the outside wall during his flying lap, and Chase Elliott experienced a loose moment in Turns 3 and 4.

Struggles Among Top Contenders

Several prominent drivers faced difficulties, with the entire Trackhouse Racing team qualifying outside the top 30. Denny Hamlin, who would have secured the pole based on the current metrics, ended up 33rd after the delays. Similarly, Christopher Bell and Carson Hocevar, who finished first and second respectively in the previous Atlanta race, qualified 28th and 30th, highlighting the unpredictable nature of qualifying at this high-speed track.

Visual Highlights from Atlanta II – Qualifying

For a closer look at the qualifying session, check out the latest photos capturing the intense moments and standout performances on the track.

Related Topics and Further Reading

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