Chase Briscoe earned the pole position at the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard Qualifying on July 27, 2025, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe clocked an impressive lap time of 49.136 seconds, averaging a speed of 183.165 mph on the 2.5-mile track, putting him at the forefront for the upcoming race.
The NASCAR Cup Series drivers competed in practice and qualifying rounds, preparing for the big event scheduled the following day. The intense sessions at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway capped off with Briscoe taking the top spot despite strong competition.
Details of the Qualifying Session and Standings
The qualifying rounds featured notable performances, with Bubba Wallace closely trailing Briscoe with a time of 49.149 seconds. Erik Jones and Tyler Reddick also posted competitive lap times of 49.248 and 49.267 seconds, respectively, positioning themselves well for the race start.
Other leading drivers included Ty Gibbs, William Byron, and Chris Buescher, who each delivered lap times under 50 seconds, signaling a tightly contested field. Austin Cindric and AJ Allmendinger shared the tenth position with identical times of 49.499 seconds, underscoring the competitiveness of the qualifying runs.
The full top ten Indianapolis Motor Speedway starting lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series is as follows:
- Chase Briscoe – 49.136 seconds
- Bubba Wallace – 49.149 seconds
- Erik Jones – 49.248 seconds
- Tyler Reddick – 49.267 seconds
- Ty Gibbs – 49.330 seconds
- William Byron – 49.442 seconds
- Chris Buescher – 49.447 seconds
- Carson Hocevar – 49.495 seconds
- AJ Allmendinger – 49.499 seconds
- Austin Cindric – 49.499 seconds
Denny Hamlin’s Crash Ends His Qualifying Run
Denny Hamlin, who was the final driver on the track and appeared poised to claim the pole, suffered a significant crash during his qualifying attempt. After hitting the outside wall at high speed, Hamlin’s car bounced and collided with the inside wall, abruptly ending his chance at the top starting spot. This accident meant he recorded no official lap time and will start at the back of the field.
“He was on pace for the pole when he slammed the outside wall and bounced across the track to also slam the inside wall.”
— Race Official
Additional Qualifying Results and Performance Insights
The rest of the field posted competitive timings, with strong showings from drivers including John Hunter Nemechek, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch among others. John Hunter Nemechek recorded the second-fastest practice lap at 49.510 seconds, while Brad Keselowski followed closely behind with a 49.629-second qualifying time.
Despite Hamlin’s mishap, the rest of the drivers demonstrated commendable speeds and consistency in their runs. Several drivers such as Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson secured solid starting positions with lap times marginally above the leaders.
The qualifying session highlighted the talent depth and intensity among NASCAR Cup Series competitors as they took on the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, often referred to as the Brickyard.
Anticipated Impact of Qualifying on the Brickyard 400 Race
Chase Briscoe’s pole position sets a promising stage for the race, giving him a prime starting advantage on the slick and demanding Indianapolis track. Meanwhile, the setback for Denny Hamlin ignites questions about his race strategy as he will need to navigate the field from the rear to contend for a strong finish.
The close lap times from top contenders suggest an intense and unpredictable race ahead, likely to feature fierce battles for position throughout the field. Fans and teams will be watching closely to see if Briscoe can maintain his advantage or if other drivers such as Bubba Wallace and Erik Jones will challenge the lead as the race unfolds.