New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20, 2025.

Joey Logano locked up the pole position for the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, setting up what could be a crucial Sunday for Team Penske. It’s his first career pole at the track, and only his second of the season. Right next to him on the front row: his Penske teammate, 2023 champ Ryan Blaney–solidifying Ford’s strength this weekend.

Josh Berry will start third for the Mobil 1 301, completing a Ford sweep of the top three starting spots. On Row 2, Tyler Reddick in the 23XI Racing Toyota joins Berry, giving some manufacturer balance to the front of the field.

Strong Performances & Playoff Implications

William Byron, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet, posted the fifth-fastest qualifying time, placing just behind that Ford-heavy front. Cars like Carson Hocevar (6th), Alex Bowman (7th), and Ross Chastain (8th) also cracked into the top 10, showing depth across manufacturers.

This weekend’s race marks the first event in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, making every starting spot more than just bragging rights. Logano’s pole gives him a golden opportunity to lead early, control clean air, and avoid the chaos that often develops in mid-pack traffic. A front-row start could be a strong asset down the stretch.

On the flip side, some playoff contenders will need to dig out of tougher spots. Several are starting outside the top 10, increasing the risk of early setbacks–pit strategy, restarts, even clean-air exposure will matter more than ever.

Here’s a look at the official starting lineup for the race:

Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Manufacturer Matchups & Track Dynamics

Ford appears particularly dialed in at Loudon this weekend. Not only did they claim the pole and top spots, but their cars looked fast and clean during qualifying, suggesting strong setups. For Ford teams, Loudon has proven historically to favor those who can manage handling and speed without over-stepping into tire wear or handling issues entering the corners.

Toyota and Chevrolet won’t be far behind in terms of threat level. Reddick (Toyota) in the top 4 means they have a shot to disrupt Ford’s starting advantage. Byron and Chastain’s strong qualifying runs show that Chevy still has speed for Sunday.

What to Watch on Race Day

Track position will be critical. At Loudon, leading early often buys you leverage–fewer cars in traffic, cleaner air for the engine, fewer chances to get caught up in someone else’s mistake. Logano and Blaney will be aiming to control the start.

Pit stops and strategy will matter even more. With no multiple qualifying rounds to reshuffle starting order, what you do in race conditions (especially early stages) could make or break your finish. Save tires, manage the draft, pick the right moment to go aggressive. The playoff implications raise the stakes: this isn’t just about points; it’s about survival.

Here’s how to watch, per The Tennessean:

Green Flag Time:  Approx. 1:05 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 21
Track:  New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile oval) in Loudon, New Hampshire
Length: 301 laps, 266 miles
Stages: 70 laps, 115 laps, 116 laps
TV coverage: USA Network
Radio: PRN
Streaming: Watch FREE on Fubo; HBO MAX app for in-car cameras (subscription required); NASCAR.com and SiriusXM on Channel 90 for audio (subscription required)

Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski

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