Bell Rings Michigan Pole

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, prepares to qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 05, 2023 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

(BROOKLYN, MI – AUG 5, 2023 – RIS) Christopher Bell drove the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Rheem Toyota to the fastest time in qualifying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 with his time of 37.232 seconds at 193.382 mph. This is sixth career pole and second of the 2023 season. Bell’s front row partner at the start of Sunday’s race will be Ross Chastain, lapping just 0.027 second slower in the No 1 Jockey Chevy. Top rookie qualifier Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher occupy the second row with Martin Truex Jr and Joey Logano in the third row. William Byron, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott round out the top ten qualifiers.

William Byron topped the time sheets in the first group of practice with a quick lap of 37.496 seconds at 191.729 mph, then in the second group, Martin Truex Jr broke into the 192-mph area with a quickest lap of 37.496 seconds at 192.020 mph, tailed just seven thousandths of a second slower by Christopher Bell’s 191.985 mph circuit of the two-mile track. Ty Gibbs was fourth fastest in practice, followed by Ross Chastain. Corey LaJoie spun in the fourth turn, hitting the wall lightly and doing enough damage that the car might not be allowed to qualify. 

Final Practice: FireKeepers Casino 400, Michigan International Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 37.496 sec, 192.020 mph, 2, 19, ---, ---
2) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 37.503, 191.985, 13, 21, -0.007 sec, -0.007 sec
3) William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 37.553, 191.729, 3, 14, -0.057, -0.050
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 37.560, 191.693, 6, 25, -0.064, -0.007
5) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Chevrolet, 37.602, 191.479, 5, 23, -0.106, -0.042
6) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford, 37.618, 191.398, 10, 22, -0.122, -0.016
7) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally x Detroit Pistons Chevrolet, 37.657, 191.200, 6, 24, -0.161, -0.039
8) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 37.660, 191.184, 7, 13, -0.164, -0.003
9) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Rocket League Toyota, 37.671, 191.128, 13, 19, -0.175, -0.011
10) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevrolet, 37.676, 191.103, 9, 22, -0.180, -0.005
11) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 37.696, 191.002, 8, 21, -0.200, -0.020
12) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 37.710, 190.931, 3, 23, -0.214, -0.014
13) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Nexlizet Ford, 37.725, 190.855, 8, 13, -0.229, -0.015
14) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford, 37.742, 190.769, 10, 17, -0.246, -0.017
15) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 DoorDash Toyota, 37.746, 190.749, 4, 17, -0.250, -0.004
16) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 37.779, 190.582, 5, 23, -0.283, -0.033
17) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Garner Trucking Chevrolet, 37.824, 190.355, 8, 9, -0.328, -0.045
18) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 37.835, 190.300, 3, 13, -0.339, -0.011
19) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 37.839, 190.280, 11, 16, -0.343, -0.004
20) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 37.860, 190.174, 13, 17, -0.364, -0.021
21) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 37.894, 190.004, 4, 13, -0.398, -0.034
22) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Mobility Science Chevrolet, 37.895, 189.999, 5, 22, -0.399, -0.001
23) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Kroger/Minute Rice Chevrolet, 37.916, 189.893, 10, 18, -0.420, -0.021
24) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 37.937, 189.788, 7, 28, -0.441, -0.021
25) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford, 37.992, 189.514, 4, 20, -0.496, -0.055
26) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 38.033, 189.309, 3, 10, -0.537, -0.041
27) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/MTS Ford, 38.045, 189.250, 2, 18, -0.549, -0.012
28) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 38.090, 189.026, 2, 15, -0.594, -0.045
29) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 38.109, 188.932, 2, 11, -0.613, -0.019
30) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Ford 20 Year Sr Master Techs Ford, 38.168, 188.640, 15, 17, -0.672, -0.059
31) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 38.205, 188.457, 9, 17, -0.709, -0.037
32) Josh Berry(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 38.221, 188.378, 4, 19, -0.725, -0.016
33) Austin Hill(i), No. *62 Bennett Transportation/Beard Chevrolet, 38.242, 188.275, 10, 27, -0.746, -0.021
34) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Chicago Pneumatic Compressors Ford, 38.327, 187.857, 10, 17, -0.831, -0.085
35) Cole Custer(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 38.432, 187.344, 11, 17, -0.936, -0.105
36) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Grill Blazers Ford, 38.849, 185.333, 1, 13, -1.353, -0.417
37) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 39.614, 181.754, 14, 19, -2.118, -0.765

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 1, 10, 190.592 mph
2) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevrolet, 8, 17, 190.582
3) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 4, 13, 190.446
4) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 12, 21, 190.402
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 1, 10, 190.377
6) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally x Detroit Pistons Chevrolet, 3, 12, 190.372
7) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford, 9, 18, 190.162
8) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Chevrolet, 2, 11, 189.971
9) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 8, 17, 189.899
10) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Rocket League Toyota, 1, 10, 189.824
11) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 2, 11, 189.720
12) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 DoorDash Toyota, 1, 10, 189.499
13) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 1, 10, 188.990
14) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 1, 10, 188.660
15) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 3, 12, 188.469
16) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Mobility Science Chevrolet, 3, 12, 188.371
17) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/MTS Ford, 1, 10, 188.200
18) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford, 2, 11, 188.022
19) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 10, 19, 187.522
20) Josh Berry(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 1, 10, 187.198
21) Austin Hill(i)*, No. *62 Bennett Transportation/Beard Chevrolet, 3, 12, 187.111
Must run 10 consecutive laps to be included

Qualifying Results: FireKeepers Casino 400, Michigan International Speedway Round 1A
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 37.422 sec, 192.400 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 37.451, 192.251, 1, 1, 0.029 sec, 0.029 sec
3) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 37.521, 191.893, 1, 1, 0.099, 0.070
4) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevrolet, 37.561, 191.688, 1, 1, 0.139, 0.040
5) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford, 37.620, 191.388, 1, 1, 0.198, 0.059
6) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 37.633, 191.321, 1, 1, 0.211, 0.013
7) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 37.643, 191.271, 1, 1, 0.221, 0.010
8) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally x Detroit Pistons Chevrolet, 37.652, 191.225, 1, 1, 0.230, 0.009
9) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 37.653, 191.220, 1, 1, 0.231, 0.001
10) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford, 37.697, 190.997, 1, 1, 0.275, 0.044
11) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/MTS Ford, 37.707, 190.946, 1, 1, 0.285, 0.010
12) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 37.720, 190.880, 1, 1, 0.298, 0.013
13) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Kroger/Minute Rice Chevrolet, 37.732, 190.819, 1, 1, 0.310, 0.012
14) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Ford 20 Year Sr Master Techs Ford, 37.891, 190.019, 1, 1, 0.469, 0.159
15) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Chicago Pneumatic Compressors Ford, 38.205, 188.457, 1, 1, 0.783, 0.314
16) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 38.573, 186.659, 1, 1, 1.151, 0.368
17) Josh Berry(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 38.664, 186.220, 1, 1, 1.242, 0.091
18) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 39.667, 181.511, 1, 1, 2.245, 1.003

Round 1B
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 37.225 sec, 193.418, 1, 1, 0.000, 0.000
2) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Chevrolet, 37.267, 193.200, 1, 1, 0.042 sec, 0.042 sec
3) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 37.326, 192.895, 1, 1, 0.101, 0.059
4) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 37.329, 192.880, 1, 1, 0.104, 0.003
5) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford, 37.329, 192.880, 1, 1, 0.104, 0.000
6) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 DoorDash Toyota, 37.398, 192.524, 1, 1, 0.173, 0.069
7) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Nexlizet Ford, 37.453, 192.241, 1, 1, 0.228, 0.055
8) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 37.469, 192.159, 1, 1, 0.244, 0.016
9) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 37.479, 192.108, 1, 1, 0.254, 0.010
10) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Rocket League Toyota, 37.567, 191.658, 1, 1, 0.342, 0.088
11) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Mobility Science Chevrolet, 37.567, 191.658, 1, 1, 0.342, 0.000
12) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 37.651, 191.230, 1, 1, 0.426, 0.084
13) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 37.721, 190.875, 1, 1, 0.496, 0.070
14) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 37.726, 190.850, 1, 1, 0.501, 0.005
15) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 37.781, 190.572, 1, 1, 0.556, 0.055
16) Austin Hill(i)*, No. 62 Bennett Transportation/Beard Chevrolet, 37.906, 189.944, 1, 1, 0.681, 0.125
17) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Garner Trucking Chevrolet, 37.942, 189.763, 1, 1, 0.717, 0.036
18) Cole Custer(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 38.486, 187.081, 1, 1, 1.261, 0.544
19) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Grill Blazers Ford, 38.739, 185.859, 1, 1, 1.514, 0.253

Qualifying Round: 2
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 37.232 sec, 193.382 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Chevrolet, 37.259, 193.242, 1, 1, 0.027 sec, 0.027 sec
3) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 37.301, 193.024, 1, 1, 0.069, 0.042
4) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford, 37.321, 192.921, 1, 1, 0.089, 0.020
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 37.372, 192.658, 1, 1, 0.140, 0.051
6) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 37.380, 192.616, 1, 1, 0.148, 0.008
7) William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 37.479, 192.108, 1, 1, 0.247, 0.099
8) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevrolet, 37.520, 191.898, 1, 1, 0.288, 0.041
9) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford, 37.544, 191.775, 1, 1, 0.312, 0.024
10) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 37.548, 191.755, 1, 1, 0.316, 0.004

Starting Line Up: FireKeepers Casino 400, Michigan International Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 37.232 sec, 193.382 mph
2) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Chevrolet, 37.259, 193.242
3) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 37.301, 193.024
4) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford, 37.321, 192.921
5) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, 37.372, 192.658
6) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 37.380, 192.616
7) William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 37.479, 192.108
8) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Kwik Trip/Kwik Star Chevrolet, 37.520, 191.898
9) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Knauf Ford, 37.544, 191.775
10) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 37.548, 191.755
11) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 DoorDash Toyota, 37.398, 192.524
12) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Nexlizet Ford, 37.453, 192.241
13) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 37.469, 192.159
14) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 37.479, 192.108
15) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Rocket League Toyota, 37.567, 191.658
16) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Mobility Science Chevrolet, 37.567, 191.658
17) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 37.633, 191.321
18) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 37.643, 191.271
19) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 37.651, 191.230
20) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally x Detroit Pistons Chevrolet, 37.652, 191.225
21) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 37.653, 191.220
22) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford, 37.697, 190.997
23) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/MTS Ford, 37.707, 190.946
24) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Farmsmart Chevrolet, 37.720, 190.880
25) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 37.721, 190.875
26) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 37.726, 190.850
27) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Kroger/Minute Rice Chevrolet, 37.732, 190.819
28) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 37.781, 190.572
29) Harrison Burton, No. 21 Ford 20 Year Sr Master Techs Ford, 37.891, 190.019
30) Austin Hill(i), No. 62 Bennett Transportation/Beard Chevrolet, 37.906, 189.944
31) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Garner Trucking Chevrolet, 37.942, 189.763
32) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Chicago Pneumatic Compressors Ford, 38.205, 188.457
33) Cole Custer(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 38.486, 187.081
34) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 38.573, 186.659
35) Josh Berry(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 38.664, 186.220
36) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Grill Blazers Ford, 38.739, 185.859
37) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 39.667, 181.511
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Track Qualifying Record: Jeff Gordon, 08/17/14, 34.857 sec, 206.558 mph

Track Race Record: Dale Jarrett, 06/13/99, 2:17:56 173.997 mph