The NASCAR Cup Series is set to take on the iconic Martinsville Speedway this weekend, and Chase Elliott will lead the field to the green flag after securing the pole position in qualifying. Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, posted a lap time of 19.708 seconds to earn his first pole of the season.
“I’m really proud of our team for the effort they put in to get us to this point,” Elliott said. “Martinsville is a track that’s all about finesse and being able to manage your tires. We’ll need to be on our game tomorrow to come out on top.”
Elliott’s teammate, Kyle Larson, will start second in the No. 5 Chevrolet, giving Hendrick Motorsports a strong 1-2 punch at the front of the field. Larson, who has been one of the most consistent drivers in the series this season, is looking to build on his strong start to the year.
“Starting up front is always a bonus, especially at a track like Martinsville where track position is so important,” Larson said. “We’ll need to be smart and stay out of trouble tomorrow, but I’m feeling good about our chances.”
The rest of the top five starters include William Byron in third, followed by Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney. The top 10 starters are rounded out by Christopher Bell, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, and Chase Briscoe.
Martinsville Speedway is one of the most historic tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, with a rich history dating back to 1947. The track’s unique paperclip design, which features 12-degree banking in the turns, makes it one of the most challenging tracks on the circuit.
“Martinsville is a track that requires a lot of finesse and patience,” said Elliott. “You need to be able to manage your tires and stay out of trouble, while also being aggressive enough to make passes and gain track position. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s what makes Martinsville so much fun to drive.”
The NASCAR Cup Series will take the green flag at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET. The race will be broadcast live on FS1, with pre-race coverage beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
*Starting Lineup:*
1. Chase Elliott (No. 9 Chevrolet)
2. Kyle Larson (No. 5 Chevrolet)
3. William Byron (No. 24 Chevrolet)
4. Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Toyota)
5. Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Ford)
6. Christopher Bell (No. 20 Toyota)
7. Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Toyota)
8. Kyle Busch (No. 18 Toyota)
9. Chase Briscoe (No. 14 Ford)
10. Brad Keselowski (No. 6 Ford)