Denny Hamlin Will Start on the NASCAR Cup Pole at the Glen

Chris Grathen - Getty Images

WATKINS GLEN, NY -RIS – Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen International Raceway., with a fast lap in the final round of qualifying. It is Denny's fourth pole of the season and the 40th of his NASCAR Cup career. This will be the second time Hamlin starts on pole at Watkins Glen, where he has one victory in 2016. William Byron joins Hamlin on the front row, as the battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports rolls on.  It was Hamlin’s 40th pole in his career.

Row 2 features last week's winner Michael McDowell, and Ty Gibbs, who qualified on pole for today's Xfinity series race. Row 3 is oozing with talent in former Watkins Glen winners Kyle Larson and AJ Allmendinger. Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick will start from Row 4 while Kyle Busch and Corey LaJoie rounded out the top-ten in qualifying. Bubba Wallace currently occupies one of the final Playoff spots, and will start from Row 6 tomorrow on the outside of Joey Logano. Two-time race winner Chris Buescher and Playoff spot contender Daniel Suarez will line up just behind them.

Chase Elliott just missed out on advancing to the final round of qualifying and will start 15th tomorrow. The 2020 Cup champion needs to win tomorrow or next weekend at Daytona to make it into the Playoffs this year. This is arguably his strongest track, and the numbers back that up. In his last four races at Watkins Glen, Elliott has two wins, two poles, a runner-up finish, and a fourth place result last year with 161 total laps led.

There are plenty of high-profile drivers that will be starting towards the back of the field tomorrow. Martin Truex Jr starts 19th, Ross Chastain 22nd, Ryan Blaney 23rd, Brad Keselowski 24th, Chase Briscoe 26th, and Kevin Harvick 34th. Even the road course ringers like Mike Rockenfeller (21st) and Andy Lally (29th) found themselves off the pace today in qualifying.

This will be the 40th Cup race at Watkins Glen, and while the pole sitter has only won once in the last 13 races here, qualifying is crucial. In the last 12 races, 11 have been won by a driver starting in the first three rows. Track position will be key, with no stage cautions possibly making it difficult for drivers to close the gap to the front of the field.

Final Practice: Go Bowling at The Glen, Watkins Glen International
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:11.148, 123.967 mph, 5, 9, ---.---, ---.---
2) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 1:11.220, 123.842, 3, 12, -0.072 sec, -0.072 sec
3) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 1:11.239, 123.809, 5, 14, -0.091, -0.019
4) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:11.261, 123.770, 4, 14, -0.113, -0.022
5) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DEWALT Concrete Total Solutions Toyota, 1:11.341, 123.632, 4, 10, -0.193, -0.080
6) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 1:11.425, 123.486, 2, 12, -0.277, -0.084
7) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 1:11.463, 123.421, 7, 10, -0.315, -0.038
8) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Mark III Chevrolet, 1:11.477, 123.396, 9, 13, -0.329, -0.014
9) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 1:11.506, 123.346, 4, 14, -0.358, -0.029
10) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota SmartPath Toyota, 1:11.555, 123.262, 5, 10, -0.407, -0.049
11) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 1:11.587, 123.207, 3, 15, -0.439, -0.032
12) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Autotrader Ford, 1:11.603, 123.179, 3, 9, -0.455, -0.016
13) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 1:11.609, 123.169, 5, 16, -0.461, -0.006
14) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 1:11.636, 123.122, 3, 10, -0.488, -0.027
15) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 1:11.639, 123.117, 4, 12, -0.491, -0.003
16) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 1:11.711, 122.994, 2, 9, -0.563, -0.072
17) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 1:11.756, 122.917, 6, 11, -0.608, -0.045
18) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 1:11.761, 122.908, 3, 11, -0.613, -0.005
19) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Siemens Toyota, 1:11.784, 122.869, 4, 11, -0.636, -0.023
20) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Okuma Chevrolet, 1:11.823, 122.802, 3, 12, -0.675, -0.039
21) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 1:11.867, 122.727, 10, 13, -0.719, -0.044
22) Mike Rockenfeller, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 1:11.884, 122.698, 5, 11, -0.736, -0.017
23) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway.com Chevrolet, 1:11.930, 122.619, 8, 8, -0.782, -0.046
24) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Sugarlands/EggoBrunchaJarSipin'Cream Chev., 1:12.076, 122.371, 4, 12, -0.928, -0.146
25) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 1:12.110, 122.313, 4, 9, -0.962, -0.034
26) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 1:12.200, 122.161, 7, 8, -1.052, -0.090
27) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 1:12.220, 122.127, 2, 10, -1.072, -0.020
28) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Camping World Ford, 1:12.248, 122.080, 4, 11, -1.100, -0.028
29) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial1.com E-Bikes Ford, 1:12.255, 122.068, 8, 11, -1.107, -0.007
30) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 1:12.277, 122.031, 7, 9, -1.129, -0.022
31) Andy Lally, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 1:12.330, 121.941, 7, 9, -1.182, -0.053
32) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Go Bowling Ford, 1:12.331, 121.939, 3, 9, -1.183, -0.001
33) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 1:12.491, 121.670, 8, 12, -1.343, -0.160
34) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 1:12.518, 121.625, 6, 7, -1.370, -0.027
35) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 1:12.519, 121.623, 13, 13, -1.371, -0.001
36) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 1:12.879, 121.023, 8, 9, -1.731, -0.360

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 2, 11, 123.192 mph
2) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 3, 12, 123.168
3) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 2, 11, 122.962
4) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 3, 12, 122.777
5) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 3, 12, 122.691
6) Kevin Harvick, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 1, 10, 120.240
Must run 10 consecutive laps on the track to be included. 

Time Trial Results: Go Bowling at The Glen, Watkins Glen International
Round 1A:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 1:10.520, 125.071 mph, 3, 3, ---, ---
2) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 1:10.527, 125.058, 2, 2, 0.007, 0.007
3) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota SmartPath Toyota, 1:10.563, 124.995, 1, 3, 0.043, 0.036
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 1:10.598, 124.933, 3, 3, 0.078, 0.035
5) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 1:10.644, 124.851, 3, 3, 0.124, 0.046
6) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 1:10.992, 124.239, 3, 3, 0.472, 0.348
7) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Okuma Chevrolet, 1:11.080, 124.086, 5, 5, 0.560, 0.088
8) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 1:11.153, 123.958, 3, 4, 0.633, 0.073
9) Mike Rockenfeller, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 1:11.199, 123.878, 5, 7, 0.679, 0.046
10) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 1:11.384, 123.557, 3, 4, 0.864, 0.185
11) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial1.com E-Bikes Ford, 1:11.384, 123.557, 4, 5, 0.864, 0.000
12) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Sugarlands/EggoBrunchJarSippinCream Chev., 1:11.473, 123.403, 3, 4, 0.953, 0.089
13) Cole Custer(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 1:11.685, 123.038, 3, 3, 1.165, 0.212
14) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 1:11.723, 122.973, 3, 3, 1.203, 0.038
15) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 1:11.742, 122.941, 5, 5, 1.222, 0.019
16) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 1:11.758, 122.913, 4, 4, 1.238, 0.016
17) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 1:11.947, 122.590, 4, 4, 1.427, 0.189
18) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 1:12.063, 122.393, 1, 4, 1.543, 0.116

Round 1B:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:10.641, 124.857 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:10.700, 124.752, 1, 1, 0.059 sec, 0.059 sec
3) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 1:10.765, 124.638, 1, 3, 0.124, 0.065
4) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DEWALT Concrete Total Solutions Toyota, 1:10.824, 124.534, 3, 4, 0.183, 0.059
5) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Mark III Chevrolet, 1:10.924, 124.358, 3, 4, 0.283, 0.100
6) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 1:10.926, 124.355, 2, 4, 0.285, 0.002
7) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 1:10.946, 124.320, 4, 4, 0.305, 0.020
8) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 1:10.966, 124.285, 2, 5, 0.325, 0.020
9) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway.com Chevrolet, 1:10.981, 124.259, 1, 6, 0.340, 0.015
10) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Autotrader Ford, 1:11.123, 124.011, 4, 5, 0.482, 0.142
11) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Siemens Toyota, 1:11.154, 123.956, 1, 5, 0.513, 0.031
12) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 1:11.192, 123.890, 2, 2, 0.551, 0.038
13) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 1:11.205, 123.868, 5, 5, 0.564, 0.013
14) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 1:11.233, 123.819, 4, 4, 0.592, 0.028
15) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 1:11.447, 123.448, 4, 5, 0.806, 0.214
16) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Go Bowling Ford, 1:11.456, 123.433, 1, 3, 0.815, 0.009
17) Andy Lally, No. 15 Camping World Ford, 1:11.485, 123.383, 3, 6, 0.844, 0.029
18) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 1:11.720, 122.978, 6, 7, 1.079, 0.235

Round 2:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 1:10.392, 125.298 mph, 3, 3, ---, ---
2) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 1:10.582, 124.961, 1, 4, 0.190 sec, 0.190 sec
3) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 1:10.589, 124.949, 2, 4, 0.197, 0.007
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 1:10.622, 124.890, 1, 1, 0.230, 0.033
5) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:10.631, 124.874, 2, 4, 0.239, 0.009
6) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:10.761, 124.645, 2, 4, 0.369, 0.130
7) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DEWALT Concrete Total Solutions Toyota, 1:10.903, 124.395, 2, 2, 0.511, 0.142
8) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota SmartPath Toyota, 1:11.022, 124.187, 4, 5, 0.630, 0.119
9) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Mark III Chevrolet, 1:11.078, 124.089, 1, 2, 0.686, 0.056
10) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 1:11.224, 123.835, 1, 2, 0.832, 0.146

Starting Line Up: Go Bowling at The Glen, Watkins Glen International
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, 1:10.392, 125.298 mph
2) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 1:10.582, 124.961
3) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 1:10.589, 124.949
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 1:10.622, 124.890
5) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:10.631, 124.874
6) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:10.761, 124.645
7) Christopher Bell, No. 20 DEWALT Concrete Total Solutions Toyota, 1:10.903, 124.395
8) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota SmartPath Toyota, 1:11.022, 124.187
9) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Mark III Chevrolet, 1:11.078, 124.089
10) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 1:11.224, 123.835
11) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 1:10.926, 124.355
12) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 1:10.946, 124.320
13) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 1:10.966, 124.285
14) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway.com Chevrolet, 1:10.981, 124.259
15) Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 1:10.992, 124.239
16) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Okuma Chevrolet, 1:11.080, 124.086
17) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Autotrader Ford, 1:11.123, 124.011
18) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 1:11.153, 123.958
19) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Siemens Toyota, 1:11.154, 123.956
20) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 1:11.192, 123.890
21) Mike Rockenfeller, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 1:11.199, 123.878
22) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, 1:11.205, 123.868
23) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 1:11.233, 123.819
24) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 1:11.384, 123.557
25) Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Serial1.com E-Bikes Ford, 1:11.384, 123.557
26) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 1:11.447, 123.448
27) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Go Bowling Ford, 1:11.456, 123.433
28) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Sugarlands/EggoBrunchJarSipinCream Chev., 1:11.473, 123.403
29) Andy Lally, No. 15 Camping World Ford, 1:11.485, 123.383
30) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 1:11.720, 122.978
31) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 1:11.723, 122.973
32) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 1:11.742, 122.941
33) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Busch Light Ford, 1:11.758, 122.913
34) Cole Custer(i), No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 1:11.834, 122.800
35) Josh Bilicki(i), No. 78 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, 1:11.947, 122.590
36) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet, 1:12.063, 122.393
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Track Qualifying Record: Jeff Gordon, 08/10/14, 1:18.126, 129.466 mph

Track Race Record: Martin Truex Jr., 08/06/17, 02:07:03, 104.132 mph