NASCAR Cup Series polesitter for Michigan International Speedway will start from the rear of the field
On Saturday, Michigan International Speedway hosted qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series. Denny Hamlin turned the fastest lap in the session.
But, he won’t start there.
In practice, Hamlin suffered a flat tire. He requested help from NASCAR officials. That request was denied and Hamlin was forced to drive the car on a flat back to the pit lane.
Despite the underbody damage, Hamlin still grabbed the pole position for Sunday’s race. However, the team is going to make repairs and those will be unapproved adjustments.
Per the rules, Hamlin will move to the rear of the field at the start of the race. He’ll still be credited with the pole position.
Carson Hocevar and Tyler Reddick take over the front row. However, Hocevar will not have lane selection at the start of the race.
Michigan International Speedway
Starting Lineup
June 7, 2026
NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver | Best Time
1. Denny Hamlin
36.901
2. Carson Hocevar
36.919
3. Tyler Reddick
36.929
4. Ty Gibbs
36.953
5. Chase Briscoe
26.956
6. Chase Elliott
36.958
7. Kyle Larson
36.967
8. Christopher Bell
37.003
9. William Byron
37.038
10. Erik Jones
37.090
11. Daniel Suarez
37.121
12. Riley Herbst
37.127
13. Bubba Wallace
37.133
14. Chris Buescher
37.186
15. Cole Custer
37.205
16. Zane Smith
37.213
17. John Hunter Nemechek
37.240
18. Joey Logano
37.257
19. Ryan Blaney
37.258
20. Michael McDowell
37.277
21. Austin Dillon
37.277
22. Noah Gragson
37.341
23. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
37.342
24. Ty Dillon
37.408
25. AJ Allmendinger
37.457
26. Brad Keselowski
37.476
27. Ryan Preece
37.551
28. Austin Hill
37.553
29. Alex Bowman
37.561
30. Shane van Gisbergen
37.562
31. Austin Cindric
37.667
32. Ross Chastain
37.690
33. Cody Ware
37.715
34. Connor Zilisch
37.720
35. Todd Gilliland
37.730
36. JJ Yeley
38.570
37. Josh Berry
No Time
