Kyle Busch Scores First Pole Since 2019

Chevrolet photo

(MADISON, IL – JUNE 3, 2023 – RIS) Kyle Busch scored the pole for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technologies Raceway with a lap of 32.802 seconds at 137.187 mph, for his first pole position in NASCAR Cup Series races since the second Phoenix race in 2019 and his 33rd career pole in 657 series starts. “Yeah, it was a really good lap for us – being able to qualifying number one, get the number one pit selection for tomorrow and that’s hopefully going to pay really good dividends for our No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet team,” Busch said. “Being able to hit turns one and two, it seemed like that’s where a lot of the speed was today. But overall, the whole lap has to be put together. I feel like the adjustments we were making and the feedback I was giving to Randall (Burnett, crew chief) and the guys, they did a good job of being able to get me what I was looking for and make it better as we went. We saved the best for last there on that last run.”

Corey JaJoie, subbing for Chase Elliott, brushed the wall with the No. 9 Chevy on hi qualifying lap, Ryan Blaney lost his pit stall choice after the car failed pre-race inspection twice, also costing suspensions for crew members. Blaney scored second on the grid, with Kyle Busch beating him out by the narrow margin of eight thousandths of a second, 32.802 sec vs. Blaney’s 32.810-second lap. “Our car has had pretty good speed in it all day, really from practice,’ commented the winner of the Coca-Cola 600. “It carried over good speed to qualifying. Overall, I’m proud of the effort of the No. 12 group and our fast Ford Mustang. It would have been nice to get the pole, but it’s still a good place to start. We’ll see what happens.”

Practice Results: Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter, World Wide Technology Raceway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 32.881 sec, 136.857 mph, 3, 22, ---.---, ---.---
2) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 32.892, 136.811, 3, 15, -0.011 sec, -0.011 sec
3) William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 32.953, 136.558, 3, 22, -0.072, -0.061
4) Michael McDowell, No. 34 FR8Auctions.com Ford, 32.963, 136.517, 3, 20, -0.082, -0.010
5) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 McDonald's Toyota, 32.977, 136.459, 4, 25, -0.096, -0.014
6) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, 33.010, 136.322, 5, 29, -0.129, -0.033
7) Kyle Busch, No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 33.019, 136.285, 3, 20, -0.138, -0.009
8) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, 33.027, 136.252, 4, 20, -0.146, -0.008
9) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 33.113, 135.898, 5, 22, -0.232, -0.086
10) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 King's Hawaiian Ford, 33.166, 135.681, 4, 13, -0.285, -0.053
11) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 33.168, 135.673, 4, 22, -0.287, -0.002
12) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 33.182, 135.616, 3, 14, -0.301, -0.014
13) Erik Jones, No. 43 Bommarito.com Chevrolet, 33.197, 135.554, 5, 16, -0.316, -0.015
14) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 33.202, 135.534, 3, 24, -0.321, -0.005
15) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 33.228, 135.428, 7, 26, -0.347, -0.026
16) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevrolet, 33.231, 135.416, 4, 24, -0.350, -0.003
17) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 33.288, 135.184, 5, 30, -0.407, -0.057
18) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 33.291, 135.172, 15, 25, -0.410, -0.003
19) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Leidos Toyota, 33.309, 135.099, 4, 24, -0.428, -0.018
20) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet, 33.358, 134.900, 5, 21, -0.477, -0.049
21) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial 1 E-Bikes Ford, 33.360, 134.892, 6, 21, -0.479, -0.002
22) Ryan Preece, No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford, 33.368, 134.860, 4, 21, -0.487, -0.008
23) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DeWalt Construction Technology Toyota, 33.382, 134.803, 5, 20, -0.501, -0.014
24) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 33.385, 134.791, 7, 23, -0.504, -0.003
25) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 33.391, 134.767, 5, 21, -0.510, -0.006
26) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Freightliner Ford, 33.394, 134.755, 3, 15, -0.513, -0.003
27) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 33.411, 134.686, 6, 27, -0.530, -0.017
28) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 33.413, 134.678, 7, 24, -0.532, -0.002
29) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 33.422, 134.642, 10, 21, -0.541, -0.009
30) Corey LaJoie, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 33.503, 134.316, 5, 20, -0.622, -0.081
31) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, 33.535, 134.188, 5, 21, -0.654, -0.032
32) JJ Yeley(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 33.552, 134.120, 4, 13, -0.671, -0.017
33) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 33.686, 133.587, 7, 21, -0.805, -0.134
34) Ty Dillon, No. 77 NationsGuard Chevrolet, 33.737, 133.385, 6, 19, -0.856, -0.051
35) BJ McLeod, No. 78 Circle B Diecast Chevrolet, 33.786, 133.191, 8, 8, -0.905, -0.049
36) Gray Gaulding(i), No. 15 Panini America Ford, 34.145, 131.791, 10, 17, -1.264, -0.359
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average:
Pos, Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, 5, 14, 135.839 mph
2) Michael McDowell, No. 34 FR8Auctions.com Ford, 2, 11, 135.629
3) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 McDonald's Toyota, 8, 17, 134.832
4) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 6, 15, 134.802
5) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 2, 11, 134.748
6) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 3, 12, 134.710
7) William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 10, 19, 134.556
8) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 9, 18, 134.531
9) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 7, 16, 134.470
10) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Leidos Toyota, 2, 11, 134.440
11) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 3, 12, 134.422
12) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet, 2, 11, 134.130
13) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 NOS Energy Drink, 5, 14, 134.113
14) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 2, 11, 134.092
15) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DeWalt Construction Technology Toyota, 7, 16, 134.077
16) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial 1 E-Bikes Ford, 1, 10, 134.071
17) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 1, 10, 134.022
18) Ryan Preece, No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford, 2, 11, 134.016
19) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 2, 11, 133.991
20) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevrolet, 10, 19, 133.793
21) Corey LaJoie, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 2, 11, 133.780
22) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 3, 12, 133.747
23) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, 9, 18, 133.242
24) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 9, 18, 132.624
Must run 10 consecutive laps on the track.

Time Trial Results World Wide Technology Raceway Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter
Round 1A:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, -Fastest, -Next
1) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, 32.877 sec, 136.874 mph, ---, ---
2) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 McDonald's Toyota, 32.880, 136.861, 0.003, 0.003
3) William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 32.998, 136.372, 0.121, 0.118
4) Kyle Busch, No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 33.025, 136.260, 0.148, 0.027
5) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 33.074, 136.059, 0.197, 0.049
6) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 33.149, 135.751, 0.272, 0.075
7) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 King's Hawaiian Ford, 33.151, 135.743, 0.274, 0.002
8) Michael McDowell, No. 34 FR8Auctions.com Ford, 33.194, 135.567, 0.317, 0.043
9) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 33.209, 135.505, 0.332, 0.015
10) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 33.218, 135.469, 0.341, 0.009
11) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, 33.277, 135.229, 0.400, 0.059
12) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevrolet, 33.279, 135.220, 0.402, 0.002
13) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 33.285, 135.196, 0.408, 0.006
14) Ryan Preece, No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford, 33.435, 134.590, 0.558, 0.150
15) Erik Jones, No. 43 Bommarito.com Chevrolet, 33.445, 134.549, 0.568, 0.010
16) Ty Dillon, No. 77 NationsGuard Chevrolet, 33.778, 133.223, 0.901, 0.333
17) BJ McLeod, No. 78 Circle B Diecast Chevrolet, 33.797, 133.148, 0.920, 0.019
18) JJ Yeley(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 34.061, 132.116, 1.184, 0.264

Round 1B:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, -Fastest, -Next
1) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 32.797 sec, 137.208 mph, ---, ---
2) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 32.847, 136.999, 0.050, 0.050
3) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 32.872, 136.895, 0.075, 0.025
4) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Freightliner Ford, 32.919, 136.699, 0.122, 0.047
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 32.979, 136.450, 0.182, 0.060
6) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 33.008, 136.331, 0.211, 0.029
7) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 33.063, 136.104, 0.266, 0.055
8) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 33.086, 136.009, 0.289, 0.023
9) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, 33.106, 135.927, 0.309, 0.020
10) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 33.110, 135.911, 0.313, 0.004
11) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet, 33.119, 135.874, 0.322, 0.009
12) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DeWalt Construction Technology Toyota, 33.148, 135.755, 0.351, 0.029
13) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Leidos Toyota, 33.191, 135.579, 0.394, 0.043
14) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 33.224, 135.444, 0.427, 0.033
15) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial 1 E-Bikes Ford, 33.321, 135.050, 0.524, 0.097
16) Corey LaJoie, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 33.442, 134.561, 0.645, 0.121
17) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 33.639, 133.773, 0.842, 0.197
18) Gray Gaulding(i), No. 15 Panini America Ford, 33.867, 132.873, 1.070, 0.228

Round 2:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Kyle Busch, No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 32.802 sec, 137.187 mph, 1, 1, 0.000, 0.000
2) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 32.810, 137.153, 1, 1, 0.008, 0.008
3) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, 32.870, 136.903, 1, 1, 0.068, 0.060
4) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 32.903, 136.766, 1, 1, 0.101, 0.033
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 33.001, 136.360, 1, 1, 0.199, 0.098
6) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 33.006, 136.339, 1, 1, 0.204, 0.005
7) William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 33.030, 136.240, 1, 1, 0.228, 0.024
8) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 33.090, 135.993, 1, 1, 0.288, 0.060
9) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 McDonald's Toyota, 33.140, 135.788, 1, 1, 0.338, 0.050
10) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Freightliner Ford, 33.203, 135.530, 1, 1, 0.401, 0.063

Starting Line Up: Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter, World Wide Technology Raceway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Kyle Busch, No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 32.802 sec, 137.187 mph
2) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 32.810, 137.153
3) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, 32.870, 136.903
4) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 32.903, 136.766
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 33.001, 136.360
6) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 33.006, 136.339
7) William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 33.030, 136.240
8) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 33.090, 135.993
9) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 McDonald's Toyota, 33.140, 135.788
10) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Freightliner Ford, 33.203, 135.530
11) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 33.008, 136.331
12) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 33.063, 136.104
13) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 33.086, 136.009
14) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, 33.106, 135.927
15) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 33.110, 135.911
16) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet, 33.119, 135.874
17) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DeWalt Construction Technology Toyota, 33.148, 135.755
18) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 33.149, 135.751
19) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 King's Hawaiian Ford, 33.151, 135.743
20) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Leidos Toyota, 33.191, 135.579
21) Michael McDowell, No. 34 FR8Auctions.com Ford, 33.194, 135.567
22) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 33.209, 135.505
23) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 33.218, 135.469
24) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 33.224, 135.444
25) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, 33.277, 135.229
26) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevrolet, 33.279, 135.220
27) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 33.285, 135.196
28) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial 1 E-Bikes Ford, 33.321, 135.050
29) Ryan Preece, No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford, 33.435, 134.590
30) Corey LaJoie, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 33.442, 134.561
31) Erik Jones, No. 43 Bommarito.com Chevrolet, 33.445, 134.549
32) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 33.639, 133.773
33) Ty Dillon, No. 77 NationsGuard Chevrolet, 33.778, 133.223
34) BJ McLeod, No. 78 Circle B Diecast Chevrolet, 33.797, 133.148
35) Gray Gaulding(i), No. 15 Panini America Ford, 33.867, 132.873
36) JJ Yeley(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 34.061, 132.116
(i) Ineligible for driver points No. in this series, (#) Rookie

Track Qualifying Record: Chase Briscoe, 06/05/22, 32.544 sec, 138.274 mph

Track Race Record: Joey Logano, 06/05/22, 3:07:34, 97.965 mph