Christopher Bell earned his 14th profession pole and his first of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, lapping the historic brief observe in 19.754s. Bell can be joined on the entrance row by Chase Elliott, who missed out on pole by 0.017s.
Bell, who already has three wins this yr, can also be a former winner at Martinsville, taking victory there late within the 2022 season.
A giant benefit
“I used to be form of down within the dumps after observe,” mentioned Bell, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, after securing pole. “However that was positively one of the best qualifying session I’ve ever felt out of my automotive right here at Martinsville. It was simply simple. I have been actually good at qualifying within the 20s, (however) I went on the market and the automotive had a lot grip. It simply reduce a very good lap. Actually pleased with everybody on this #20 crew. They have been working arduous to enhance our Martinsville bundle. We’ll see what occurs tomorrow however regardless, beginning up entrance goes to be an enormous assist.”
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Photos
A part of that benefit is the primary pit stall granted to the pole-sitter (ought to they select it), which is further necessary at Martinsville as a consequence of how shut it’s to the pit exit line.
“I am enthusiastic about it,” mentioned Bell, referring to the pit stall choice. “It is humorous. I used to be sitting within the automotive taking a look at that primary pit stall and I mentioned: ‘Man, that will be good.’ The yellow line is correct there. I am tremendous excited in regards to the alternative forward of us.”
Hendrick close to the entrance
Hendrick Motorsports scored a 1-2-3 end at Martinsville one yr in the past and ended Saturday’s qualifying periods 2-3-4 on the grid. Together with Elliott on the entrance row, Alex Bowman timed in third and Homestead winner Kyle Larson was fourth. Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, who has extra wins than every other lively driver at Martinsville (5 race wins), claimed the fifth spot within the beginning lineup.
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Photos
Chris Buescher certified sixth, Joey Logano seventh, Bubba Wallace eighth, Tyler Reddick ninth, and William Byron tenth. Byron is the defending winner of this race the place he received from 18th on the grid. The Martinsville race winner has really come from outdoors the highest ten in every of the final 5 Cup races, which is stunning contemplating the significance of observe place on the tight half-mile. The Martinsville pole-sitter has not gone on to win the race since Jimmie Johnson in 2013.
There have been no incidents throughout the qualifying session, nevertheless, there was a shock close to the again of the grid. Ryan Blaney, who’s the latest winner at Martinsville, solely managed to rise up to thirty second on the time sheets. He did present spectacular long-run tempo in observe, however that is his worst beginning place ever on the Virginia brief observe.
Photographs from Martinsville – Observe & Qualifying
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Christopher Bell
Hendrick Motorsports
Joe Gibbs Racing
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