Joey Logano just snatched the pole position for NASCAR’s postseason race at World Wide Technology Raceway, dropping a blistering 32.817-second lap on the 1 1/4-mile oval in suburban St. Louis. That’s an average of 137.124 mph in his No. 22 Ford, beating Kyle Larson by a full 0.276 seconds. This isn’t just a good run, folks, this is a much-needed shot in the arm for Logano’s championship Chase hopes. He needed a boost, and he absolutely delivered on Saturday.
Gateway’s Golden Boy Flexes
This track, with its tight south turns and flat, sweeping north turns, has been Logano’s playground. He’s a three-time Cup Series champion, and he won the inaugural Cup race at Gateway back in 2022, which helped propel him to that year’s championship. Not only that, he’s finished in the top five here for the past three years running. Logano knows this place, plain and simple. He told everyone, “We’ve got some good momentum on our side here recently,” and that they’ve put themselves “back in the talks of racing for a championship.” Don’t forget, he also snagged the first pit stall for Sunday, which is a HUGE advantage on one of the narrowest pit roads of the season. He’s confident, saying, “We feel pretty solid about it. It’s been a good track for us.” He’s currently sitting eighth in the point standings, but with two wins in his last seven races, he’s clearly heating up when it counts most.
The Chase Field Holds Its Breath
Starting position is everything at Gateway. Denny Hamlin won from pole in 2025, and Kyle Busch did it in 2023. Austin Cindric, the 2024 winner, started second. Logano himself is the only past winner who didn’t start on the front row, taking victory from seventh in 2022. Logano’s Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney (third in the Chase), qualified third, right there with him. Christopher Bell (second in the Chase) qualified second, and Chase Briscoe (fifth in the Chase) qualified fifth. Other contenders like Carson Hocevar (12th in Chase), Bubba Wallace (10th), Chase Elliott (ninth), and Ty Gibbs (sixth) are starting further back. Points leader Denny Hamlin qualified 10th, and Tyler Reddick (fourth in postseason standings) will start 18th. Yikes. Chris Buescher (11th in Chase) had a rougher go, qualifying 21st and losing his pit stall and car chief Joshua Sisco after his car failed pre-race inspection twice. That’s a tough break right before race day.
Logano’s quote sums it up perfectly for Sunday’s race, “This is definitely one of the tracks that we have circled. It was one that we should be strong at, and where we are in points, it’s one we have to be strong at. We don’t have much option at this point.” He’s embracing the “underdog” label, and with this pole, he’s got a real shot to make some noise. You better believe all eyes will be on the No. 22 Ford when the green flag drops.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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