NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube: Qualifying, Michael McDowell’s Pole Position, Lineup At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

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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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Published15 Mar 2025

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NASCAR Cup Series veteran driver Michael McDowell presented his new organization with an early-season gift. 

By topping Saturday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube qualifying session, McDowell placed a Spire Motorsports machine on the pole for the first time.  

McDowell’s hot lap of 186.961 mph edged Team Penske teammates Joey Logano (186.864 mph) and Austin Cindric (186.638) for his seventh career pole position.  

Kyle Busch (186.638) and Erik Jones (186.632) capped the top five qualifying efforts. 

 Ross Chastain (187.846) topped the practice session, topping Bubba Wallace (186.290) and William Byron (186.175). 

Weather Cancels Christopher Bell’s High Limit Racing Debut  

Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson anticipated pitting their driving skills against each other in Las Vegas. Sure, the duo will go at it Sunday during the Cup Series event, but Bell and Larson were looking forward to a dirt-racing matchup Friday night. 

Bell, who captured three straight outings on the premier stock-race racing circuit, was scheduled to make his High Limit Racing debut, but rain and wind forced him to cancel his appearance. The postponed event was rescheduled for Saturday. 

Larson, who co-founded the touring sprint car racing series, along with World of Outlaws icon Brad Sweet, was still expected to compete on the dirt track.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Pennzoil 400    

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:    

Starting Position, Driver, Car No.  

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