Alex Bowman Paces Hendrick with Career-High Fifth Pole Position

BRISTOL, Tenn. — In an exciting qualifying session on Friday evening, Alex Bowman secured the pole position for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Bowman achieved a remarkable lap time of 15.142 seconds, with an average speed of 126.720 mph. This victory marks his first pole of the 2024 season and the fifth in his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Notably, this achievement is significant for Bowman, as it is the first time he has claimed a pole position outside of the Daytona 500 since Phoenix in the fall of 2016. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports, he will lead a strong lineup of teammates at the front of the pack, with Kyle Larson taking second place and William Byron right behind in third.

The qualifying results highlighted an impressive performance from playoff drivers, with eight of the top ten spots going to competitors in the Round of 16 of the NASCAR playoffs. This includes Martin Truex Jr. in fourth and Denny Hamlin in eighth, both of whom are currently below the cut line entering this crucial race, intensifying their need for a strong finish to avoid elimination.

Other notable playoff drivers who qualified in the top ten include Chase Briscoe in fifth, Christopher Bell in sixth, and Chase Elliott, who rounded out the top ten in the ninth position. However, several playoff drivers will start further back in the field, with Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick qualifying in 13th and 15th respectively. Others, such as Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski, will start in 20th, 22nd, and 23rd places correspondingly, creating a challenging road ahead for them.

The starting lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race demonstrates a diverse mix of drivers, with the full list showcasing the competitive nature of the field. Carson Hocevar will make his presence felt starting in seventh as a rookie, while several other drivers like Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton are further back, requiring strategic moves to climb up the ranks during the race.

The pre-race atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans eager to witness how the drivers perform under the lights at this legendary track. The combination of playoff intensity and the unique challenges of Bristol, known for its tight turns and short track dynamics, sets the stage for a thrilling race.

With everything on the line for many drivers, this event is more than just a race; it carries significant playoff implications. Each contender understands that their performance will impact their hopes of advancing to the next round of the playoffs. The stakes are high, and every driver is ready to give it their all on the track.

As the race day approaches, the strategies that teams have developed during practice will be crucial. All eyes will be on Bowman as he attempts to convert his pole position into a victory, while other drivers will be seeking to overcome their qualifying positions for the opportunity to chase the checkered flag.

The excitement of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race continues to build as teams finalize their preparations. Fans eagerly await the start of what promises to be an action-packed evening of racing, embodying the heart and spirit of NASCAR racing at one of its most iconic venues.

Starting positions for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race are as follows:

1. #48 – Alex Bowman
2. #5 – Kyle Larson
3. #24 – William Byron
4. #19 – Martin Truex Jr.
5. #14 – Chase Briscoe
6. #20 – Christopher Bell
7. #77 – Carson Hocevar (R)
8. #11 – Denny Hamlin
9. #7 – Corey LaJoie
10. #9 – Chase Elliott
11. #23 – Bubba Wallace
12. #1 – Ross Chastain
13. #54 – Ty Gibbs
14. #41 – Ryan Preece
15. #45 – Tyler Reddick
16. #10 – Noah Gragson
17. #17 – Chris Buescher
18. #34 – Michael McDowell
19. #16 – A.J. Allmendinger
20. #22 – Joey Logano
21. #31 – Daniel Hemric
22. #12 – Ryan Blaney
23. #6 – Brad Keselowski
24. #38 – Todd Gilliland
25. #4 – Josh Berry (R)
26. #51 – Justin Haley
27. #2 – Austin Cindric
28. #42 – John Hunter Nemechek
29. #8 – Kyle Busch
30. #3 – Austin Dillon
31. #47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
32. #43 – Erik Jones
33. #71 – Zane Smith (R)
34. #21 – Harrison Burton
35. #99 – Daniel Suarez
36. #15 – Kaz Grala (R)
37. #66 – Josh Bilicki