NASCAR Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger earned his first pole position in more than a decade Friday.
Allmendinger posted a hot qualifying lap of 126.930 mph to pull off the upset. The veteran’s previous start on the inside of the front row developed at Watkins Glen in 2015.
It also marks his first front-row starting spot at the 0.533-mile high-banked oval since 2012.
“Every old dog has his day, or something like that,” Allmendinger told TNT Sports. “To get a pole at Bristol? That’s pretty awesome.”
Awesome for Kaulig Racing, too. It marked the organization’s second pole.
“I know it’s Friday night qualifying and at the end of the day it doesn’t pay any points or money,” Allmendinger said, “but it’s small victories like this for our race team that’s continually trying to grow.
“Days like today are important to me, as well, because it proves that I can be here.”
Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race marks the Round of 16 finale.
This is AJ Allmendinger’s first pole in over a decade where he got pole at Watkins Glen in 2015. pic.twitter.com/dNbGBNUqil
— No Context NASCAR (@NoContextNyoom) September 12, 2025
Is Cody Ware Comfortable At Bristol?
With only three previous outings at Bristol, driver Cody Ware will join the Cup field, piloting the No. 51 Ford.
Ware competed in the 2022 event at Bristol and placed P17.
“That was a solid race all around for us,” Ware said, per press release. “From start to finish, it was just a good, competitive race where we executed well.”
Ware’s spring adventure at Bristol was anything but “solid.” The Rick Ware Racing team finished 36th.
“Bristol is 500 laps of chaos, no matter if it’s on a sunny afternoon in April or under the lights on a Saturday night in September,” Ware said. “To be able to walk out of Bristol with a good result is always very rewarding.
“Bristol is probably as mentally draining for the spotter as the driver.”
Comfort at the ‘Last Great Coliseum’: Cody Ware at Home on Bristol’s High Banks https://t.co/hA3M2TH9UJ pic.twitter.com/QMNbhjnwFN
— Speedway Digest (@speedwaydigest) September 11, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series’ Bass Pro Shops Night Race Starting Lineup
Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No.
- 1, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 2, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
- 3, Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
- 4, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
- 5, Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 6, Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
- 7, William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
- 8, Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
- 9, Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
- 10, Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
- 11, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
- 12, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
- 13, Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 14, Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
- 15, Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 16, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 17, Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 18, Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
- 19, John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
- 20, Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
- 21, Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
- 22, Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
- 23, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
- 24, Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
- 25, Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 26, Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
- 27, Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
- 28, Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 29, Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
- 30, Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
- 31, Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
- 32, Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 33, Austin Hill, No. 33 Chevrolet
- 34, Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
- 35, Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
- 36, Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
- 37, Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 38, Corey Heim, No. 67 Toyota
- 39, Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford
For some, championship hopes will end at one of our sport's greatest events.
The Bristol Night Race is Saturday on USA! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vYxMpdjv6d
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 10, 2025
