NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400: Qualifying, Ryan Blaney Earns Pole Position, Ford Tops Atlanta Lineup

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published22 Feb 2025

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nascar atlanta pole winner ryan blaney (1)

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney is already cashing in on the organization’s new sponsorship deal.

Blaney, who was part of last season’s photo finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway, earned the pole Saturday for Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400, registering a hot lap of 179.371 mph. Blaney edged runner-up Austin Cindric (179.359 mph), who also started second during the season-opening Daytona 500.

Team Penske announced it reached a sponsorship deal with the Chipotle restaurant chain.

Ford, paced by Team Penske, dominated Saturday’s qualifying session, earning 10 of the top 11 starting spots.

Wood Brothers driver Josh Berry (179.139) and Team Penske’s Joey Logano (178.827) will form the second row. Wood Brothers is affiliated with Team Penske. During the first round of qualifying, Logano established a single-lap record at the reconfigured 1.54-mile track.

Jimmie Johnson ‘Smiling Inside And Out’ After Daytona P3  

Jimmie Johnson, the Cup Series’ seven-time champion, secured his best finish at Daytona since entering the ownership group for LEGACY Motor Club. After placing P3 during last Sunday’s season-opening event, Johnson told reporters, “I have emotions that I didn’t expect to have. I’m just smiling inside and out.” 

Johnson eluded three multi-car crashes over the final 14 laps to contend for the Daytona 500 title. Since returning to the circuit as a part-time pilot in 2023, Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 titleholder, failed to finish inside the top 25 during his opening 12 outings. 

John Hunter Nemechek, one of LEGACY full-time drivers, earned a P5, marking the first time the organization registered two top-fives. 

“It’s hard in this sport to get too excited about things, especially race one, but there’s another plate race next week and then we have a road course, which is deceiving, and then we really get into the meat of the season. So, we’re going to enjoy tonight, but know that we have a long season ahead of us.”

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Ambetter Health 400   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No.

  • 1, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
  • 2, Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
  • 3, Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
  • 4, Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
  • 5, Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
  • 6, Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
  • 7, Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
  • 8, Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
  • 9, Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
  • 10, Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
  • 11, Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
  • 12, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
  • 13, Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
  • 14, Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
  • 15, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
  • 16, William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
  • 17, Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
  • 18, Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
  • 19, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
  • 20, Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
  • 21, Justin Haley, Nol. 7 Chevrolet
  • 22, John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
  • 23, Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
  • 24, Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
  • 25, Chas Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
  • 26, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
  • 27, Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
  • 28, Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
  • 29, Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
  • 30, Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
  • 31, Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
  • 32, Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
  • 33, Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
  • 34, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
  • 35, Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Ford
  • 36, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
  • 37, Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
  • 38, BJ McLeod, No. 78 Chevrolet
  • 39, JJ Yeley, No. 44 Chevrolet