NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Single-Car Qualifying: Chase Briscoe Awards Toyota With 1st Daytona 500 Pole Position

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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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Published12 Feb 2025

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chase Briscoe wins pole a t daytona

Toyota stole the NASCAR Cup Series’ single-car qualifying spotlight at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday night.  

Fueled by Chase Briscoe, the car manufacturer captured its first Daytona 500 pole, edging good friend Austin Cindric. Briscoe is competing in his first event since joining Joe Gibbs Racing last offseason.  

“It’s pretty special,” Briscoe told Fox Sports moments after earning third career start from the inside of the front row. “It’s a great way for us to start our season. 

“I’m appreciative of this opportunity.” 

Briscoe completed his qualifying rotation along the 2.5-mile track in 49.249 seconds.

The remainder of Sunday’s 41-machine field will be determined during Thursday’s two Duel races.

NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Struggle From Daytona 500 Pole 

So, who wants to be on the Daytona 500 pole? 

While the top qualifier earns recognition for starting Sunday’s “Great American Race” on the inside of the front row, a trip to Victory Lane remains elusive. 

During nine of the past 10 Daytona 500s, the pole-sitter has failed to finish better than P14. Alex Bowman was the exception, placing fifth from the pole two years ago.  

Six of the past seven Daytona 500 champions started 10th or worse.   

Defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano earned the 2024 pole and placed P32 after enduring an accident on Lap 191. William Byron, who went on to capture the Harley J. Earl Trophy, bumped Brad Keselowski, who was running second. Keselowski’s spinning machine struck Logano, igniting an 18-car collision.  

NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Single-Car Qualifying Results 

Here are the results from Wednesday’s NASCAR Cup Series single-car qualifying session for Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team   

  • 1, Chase Briscoe, 19, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 2, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske 
  • 3, Ryan Preece, 60, RFK Racing 
  • 4, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske 
  • 5, Josh Berry, 21, Wood Brothers Racing 
  • 6, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 7, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 8, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 9, Ty Dillon, 10, Kaulig Racing 
  • 10, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 11, Zane Smith, 38, Front Row Motorsports  
  • 12, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 13, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 14, Todd Gilliland, 34, Front Row Motorsports  
  • 15, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 16, Brad Keselowski, 6. Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing 
  • 17, Michael McDowell, 71, Spire Motorsports 
  • 18, Chris Buescher, 17, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing 
  • 19, AJ Allmendinger, 16 Kaulig Racing 
  • 20, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford 
  • 21, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 22, Martin Truex Jr., 56, TRICON Garage 
  • 23, Noah Gragson, 4, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 24, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 25, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 26, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing 
  • 27, Riley Herbst, 35, 23XI Racing 
  • 28, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing 
  • 29, Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club 
  • 30, Shane van Gisbergen, 88, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 31, Justin Haley, 7, Spire Motorsports 
  • 32, Cole Custer, 41, Haas Factory Team 
  • 33, Justin Allgaier, 40, JR Motorsports 
  • 34, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports 
  • 35, Corey Lajoie, 01, Rick Ware Racing 
  • 36, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 37, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 38, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 39, Helio Castroneves, 91, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 40, Anthony Alfredo, 62, Beard Motorsports 
  • 41, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47 HYAK Motorsports 
  • 42, Chandler Smith, 66 MBM Motorsports 
  • 43, BJ McLeod, 78, Live Fast Motorsports 
  • 44, JJ Yeley, 44, NY Racing Team 
  • 45, Cody Ware, 51, Rick Ware Racing