By AMANDA VINCENT
Ross Chastain ran a 48.808-second/184.396 mph lap in the second of two rounds of NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Saturday to claim the pole for Sunday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, the last race of the regular season. It’s his third-career pole but his first of the season.
“I’ll start this with I do not know what that means for tomorrow,” Chastain said. “I’m being honest, I have no idea what it means for tomorrow.”
Chris Buescher qualified second to start alongside Chastain on the front row. Austin Hill qualified third, Ryan Preece fourth and Riley Herbst fifth.
Preece led the way in the opening round of qualifying with a 48.897-second/184.060 mph lap. He was the only driver who exceeded 184 mph in round one.
All three Trackhouse Racing entries were among the 10 that advanced to the second round. Chastain’s teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Zilisch qualified sixth and seventh, respectively.
“For Trackhouse to go and pick the right things for car build to come here and to execute through two rounds, it’s incredible,” Chastain said.
Team Penske duo Austin Cindric and Joey Logano qualified eighth and ninth. Kyle Larson 10th. Logano and Larson were as close as possible in the opening round with matching lap times in round one before both claimed fifth-row starting spots in round two.
Forty-one drivers/cars entered the Daytona race, including five open (non-chartered) to contest for four starting positions. Gray Gaulding failed to make the race.
