NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart: Qualifying, Michael McDowell‘s Pole Position, Postseason-Opening Lineup At Atlanta Motor 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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Published07 Sep 2024

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ryan blaney qualifying at atlanta summer (1)

Michael McDowell on Saturday continued his qualifying prowess on drafting tracks. 

The NASCAR Cup Series non-playoff driver captured the pole position for Sunday’s Quaker State 400 available at Walmart, posting a hot lap of 179.261 mph at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

It was the Front Row Motorsports pilot’s fifth pole position this season after opening his career with 466 failed qualifying sessions. The five poles match Kyle Larson’s circuit record.

En route to opening the postseason on the inside of the front row, McDowell earned his fourth consecutive superspeedway pole, matching the mark established by Bill Elliott in 1985-86.

McDowell wasn’t the lone big winner Saturday. With Ryan Blaney (179.267 mph), Todd Gilliland (178.77), Josh Berry (178.453) and Austin Cindric (178.43) rounding out the top qualifying laps, Ford secured the top five starting spots Sunday. 

Denny Hamlin endured a mechanical issue and will start No. 38 for the Cup Series’ playoff opener. 

NASCAR Pioneer Paul Goldsmith Passes Away

A NASCAR pioneer, Paul Goldsmith, who is known for winning the final event on the Daytona Beach and road course in 1958, died. He was 98.

A prestigious motorcycle racer, Goldsmith claimed the 1953 Daytona 200, one of five American Motorcycle Association (AMA) triumphs. Goldsmith also competed in six Indianapolis 500s and remains a member of numerous motorsports hall of fames.

Goldsmith is credited with nine Cup Series wins and eight poles after being introduced to NASCAR in 1956 by Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Smokey Yunick, the owner of the iconic “Best Damn Garage in Town.” In “Amercian Zoom,” a 1993 book, Yunick said: “Paul Goldsmith had more natural talent than any driver I ever had anything to do with.”

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Quaker State 400

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team   

  • 1, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports
  • 2, Ryan Blaney, 12, Team Penske
  • 3, Todd Gilliland, 38, Front Row Motorsports
  • 4, Josh Berry, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing
  • 5, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske
  • 6, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports
  • 7, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske
  • 8, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing
  • 9, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports
  • 10, Chase Briscoe, 14, Stewart-Haas Racing
  • 11, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports
  • 12, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing
  • 13, Noah Gragson, 42, Stewart-Haas Racing
  • 14, Daniel Hemric, 31, Kaulig Racing
  • 15, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing
  • 16, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports
  • 17, Chris Buescher, 17, RFK Racing
  • 18, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing
  • 19, Brad Keselowski, 6, RFK Racing
  • 20, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing
  • 21, Ryan Preece, 41, Stewart-Haas Racing
  • 22, Martin Truex Jr., 19, Joe Gibbs Racing
  • 23, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing
  • 24, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing
  • 25, Corey LaJoie, 7, Spire Motorsports
  • 26, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing
  • 27, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47, JTG Daugherty Racing
  • 28, Shane van Gisbergen, 16, Kaulig Racing
  • 29, Justin Haley, 51, Rick Ware Racing
  • 30, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing
  • 31, Cody Ware, 15, Rick Ware Racing
  • 32, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports
  • 33, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club
  • 34, Zane Smith, 71, Spire Motorsports
  • 35, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club
  • 36, BJ McLeod, 78, Live Fast Motorsports
  • 37, JJ Yeley, 44, NY Racing Team
  • 38, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing