NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400: Qualifying, Denny Hamlin’s Pole Position, Lineup At Michigan International Speedway

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Jeff Hawkins
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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.  

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Published17 Aug 2024

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Denny Hamlin earned the pole position for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, but he didn’t have to do much. 

Intermittent showers and the threat of lightning rained out Saturday’s qualifying session at Michigan International Speedway. Relying on the NASCAR rule book, Hamlin was inserted into the inside of the front row, next to Tyler Reddick. 

Christopher Bell will start third and series points leader Kyle Larson fourth.    

Following practice laps, the Cup cars lined up for qualifying in the Michigan mist, but were called back to the garage area twice. 

On his sixth of 13 rotations, Ross Chastain (192.303 mph) topped the first practice field, edging Martin Truex Jr. (192.179) and Kyle Larson (192.179). 

Chastain enters Sunday 14th in the points standings.  

Truex completed 18 laps around the two-mile oval, most of Cup drivers.

NASCAR’s Silly Season Coming Early 

With three races remaining in the regular season, NASCAR Cup Series teams continue making plans for the future.  

Among the early moves in what’s projected to be a fluid offseason, Kaulig Racing announced it is bringing AJ Allmendinger back to the series in 2025. RFK Racing also anticipates naming Kroger as a major sponsor next season.  

Newly-formed Haas Factory Team tabbed Aaron Kramer as crew chief for new driver Cole Custer and the No. 41 Ford next season and Michael McDowell will take over Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Chevrolet from a departing Zane Smith.  

Previously, Joe Gibbs Racing announced Chase Briscoe will replace the retiring Martin Truex Jr. and Spire Motorsports is prepared to move on from Corey LaJoie following the season. 

The industry’s personnel moves started early. Stay tuned.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ FireKeepers Casino 400   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team

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