Pocono qualifying results from July 30, 2017 for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Today, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will qualify and race in the same day. It’s the first time in 45 years that the tour has embraced that format.
Unique challenges. For example, Denny Hamlin coasted for nearly 3/4 of a lap on his first trip to the racetrack. Why? He was slowly working in the brakes. This is the same system that he will use in the race later today. Usually, the brakes would be changed after qualifying. Not enough time for that today, nor would inspection allow.
Today’s pre qualifying inspection is all the race inspection. Several teams were struggling at get through inspection, early in the season.
Round 1
With 20 seconds to go in round 1, Dale Earnhardt Jr was bumped outside of the top 24. Erik Jones pushed him to 25. However, Hendrick Motorsports was prepared, Jr was already on track. He placed himself back in, at the last second.
Kyle Busch was the last car on the bubble. Ky Busch was late to get on-track after pre-qualifying inspection issues. Aric Almirola was the first car past the cut line, he won’t transfer to round 2.
Round 1 Qualifying: 1. Joey Logano; 2. Daniel Suarez; 3. Ryan Blaney; 4. Jamie McMurray; 5. Erik Jones; 6. Kyle Larson; 7. Kurt Busch; 8. Kasey Kahne; 9. Brad Keselowski; 10. Denny Hamlin;
Round 2
Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson and Matt Kenseth all find themselves on the wrong side of the cut line. Only a minute remains, all those drivers are still on track.
Kyle Larson called it quits after a wiggle in turn 1. The rest didn’t have the speed to improve.
Round 2 Qualifying: 1. Denny Hamlin; 2. Kyle Busch; 3. Martin Truex Jr; 4. Ryan Blaney; 5. Daniel Suarez; 6. Kevin Harvick; 7. Jamie McMurray; 8. Clint Bowyer; 9. Joey Logano; 10. Kasey Kahne;
Round 3
Kyle Busch likely just saved his tires in round 1. Running just hard enough to advance. He whooped the field in round 3. He was .4 tenths quicker than everyone.
Until Martin Truex Jr’s late run that placed him in 2nd. True turned a 50.317.
Kyle Busch will start on the pole after a time of 50.175.
Pocono Starting Lineup
July 30, 2017
NASCAR Cup Series
1. Kyle Busch (50.175)
2. Martin Truex Jr (50.317)
3. Jamie McMurray (50.552)
4. Denny Hamlin (50.635)
5. Ryan Blaney (50.682)
6. Kevin Harvick (50.708)
7. Clint Bowyer (50.801)
8. Daniel Suarez (50.844)
9. Erik Jones (50.869)
10. Joey Logano (50.986)
11. Brad Keselowski (51.046)
12. Kasey Kahne (51.206)
13. Chase Elliott
14. Jimmie Johnson
15. Matt Kenseth
16. Kyle Larson
17. Michael McDowell
18. Kurt Busch
19. Trevor Bayne
20. Ryan Newman
21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
22. Danica Patrick
23. Dale Earnhardt Jr
24. Chris Buescher
25. Aric Almirola
26. Austin Dillon
27. Paul Menard
28. AJ Allmendinger
29. Matt DiBenedetto
30. Ty Dillon
31. Landon Cassia
32. Cole Whitt
33. David Ragan
34. Corey LaJoie
35. Gray Gaulding
36. Stephen Leicht
37. Derrick Cope
38. Jeffrey Earnhardt
