NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race: Qualifying, Alex Bowman’s Pole Position, Lineup At Bristol Motor Speedway

By
Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Sports Editor

Published2 hours ago on September 20, 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
NASCAR: Playoff Media Day

NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman started to feel confident following the first round of Saturday’s qualifying session at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Bowman equaled the top speed of Chase Briscoe and the emboldened pilot turned a hot lap of 126.72 mph, edging Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron (126.695 mph) by 0.003 seconds. Byron, however, will start on the inside of the second row because he competed in the same heat as Bowman.  

Kyle Larson (126.378) will start second and help form the top-starting Hendrick trio for Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Bowman earned his first pole position of the season and fifth of his career. 

“Obviously, after the first round, I felt really good about it,” Bowman said, per NASCAR.com. “Thankful to start up front and qualify well. Obviously, qualifying has been not our strongest suit over the years, so being the cutoff race and everything, starting up front is really important.” 

Continuing to gain postseason confidence, Bowman is coming off Round of 16 finishes of P5 and P18 and enters Saturday night 41 points above the cutoff line. The bottom four playoff drivers will be eliminated following the event at the iconic 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval.

Spire, Rick Ware Teams Swap Pilots 

During the opening Round of 12 event at Kansas Speedway, two Cup organizations will be working with new drivers. 

Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing announced Friday that the teams will trade drivers. Justin Haley will assume command of Spire’s No. 7 Chevrolet, while Corey Lajoie takes over the No. 51 Ford for the circuit’s final seven events. 

Haley will remain with the team next season and is slated to be paired with veteran crew chief Rodney Childers, Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said Friday, according to NASCAR.com. 

Rick Ware Racing president Robby Benton said next season’s driver will be introduced during the offseason. 

LaJoie, who qualified ninth, enters Saturday night’s race ranked 28th in the points standings, while Haley remains in 32nd place and will start the Round of 16 finale P26.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Bass Pro Shops Night Race   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway:   

 Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team 

  • 1, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 2, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports    
  • 3, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports    
  • 4, Martin Truex Jr., 19, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 5, Chase Briscoe, 14, Stewart-Haas Racing
  • 6, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 7, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports 
  • 8, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 9, Corey LaJoie, 7, Spire Motorsports 
  • 10, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 11, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing  
  • 12, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing  
  • 13, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 14, Ryan Preece, 41, Stewart-Haas Racing  
  • 15, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing  
  • 16, Noah Gragson, 42, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 17, Chris Buescher, 17, RFK Racing 
  • 18, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 19, AJ Allmendinger, 16, Kaulig Racing 
  • 20, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske 
  • 21, Daniel Hemric, 31, Kaulig Racing 
  • 22, Ryan Blaney, 12, Team Penske 
  • 23, Brad Keselowski, 6, RFK Racing 
  • 24, Todd Gilliland, 38, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 25, Josh Berry, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing  
  • 26, Justin Haley, 51, Rick Ware Racing 
  • 27, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske 
  • 28, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 29, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 30, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 31, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47, JTG Daugherty Racing 
  • 32, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 33, Zane Smith, 71, Spire Motorsports 
  • 34, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing  
  • 35, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 36, Kaz Grala, 15, Rick Ware Racing 
  • 37, Josh Bilicki, 66, Power Source