Larson on Phoenix Pole, Hamlin Takes Second

Kyle Larson took his first pole of 2023 at Phoenix

(PHOENIX, AZ – MAR 11, 2023 – RIS) Kyle Larson added to his list of fastest laps in qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 today, taking the pole position for the race with a lap of 27.642 seconds at 130.237 mph. Larson’s time beat out Denny Hamlin’s time by 65 thousandths of a second. All the round two top runners were unable to match their first session times, with Larson slowing by 0.318 second. Hamlin’s round two time was much closer to his first timed lap, only 0.073 second slower.

“It means a lot,” Larson said. “Qualifying is really important here. We got the pole in 2021 and that really helped us win the championship race. Joey (Logano) had an extremely fast car in the fall last year, but he got the pole as well and won. So I think that number one pit stall means a lot.

“Honestly, I think we’re all so good at this level that once you get to this level, I don’t think it really matters what your background is. And two, I think our team brought a really good car because I can’t honestly tell the difference in aero packages. I think that just shows how they did their homework and brought a great car here. I felt like William (Byron) was really good yesterday in practice, as well, and he qualified third. I look at him as being one of the guys to beat, along with (Kevin) Harvick. I would say maybe with him (Kevin Harvick); he was always good here with the lower downforce stuff, and the last few years, he hasn’t been as dominant. He showed in practice yesterday that he was really good.

Asked about the F1 drivers scheduled to run future road courses in NASCAR this season, he added: “I wouldn’t say it lights my fuse for my future, but it’s really exciting to have guys of that caliber resume come and compete in the NASCAR Cup Series. It’s great for our sport.

“And two, I think it’s going to showcase our tough our sport is. I don’t know who Jenson (Button) is running for, but Kimi (Räikkönen) in a Trackhouse car. They won two road course races last year, so there’s no arguing that he’s not in great equipment. So if he does good, average or whatever, I think it shows the competition level of our sport, which I believe is the toughest in the world. Yeah, it’s exciting to have them. Having guys like Conor Daly, Travis Pastrana, Jonathan Davenport – it’s more than just the Formula 1 drivers. I think it just showcases how diverse our sport is and how diverse this car has allowed our sport to be. It’s neat.”

Last week’s winner, William Byron, headed his group of qualifiers and will start in third place, flanked by Brad Keselowski in the top Ford on the starting grid.

This is Larson’s third top-ten and first pole of the 2023 season and his fifteenth pole in the 299 Cup Series races he has contested. The top rookie, Ty Gibbs, starts in 14th position.

Time Trial Results: United Rentals Work United 500, Phoenix Raceway
Round 1A
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, -Fastest, -Next
1) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 27.553 sec, 130.657 mph, ---, ---
2) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 27.556, 130.643, 0.003 sec, 0.003 sec
3) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Castrol Edge Ford, 27.633, 130.279, 0.080, 0.077
4) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Shingrix Toyota, 27.634, 130.274, 0.081, 0.001
5) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 27.644, 130.227, 0.091, 0.010
6) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, 27.666, 130.124, 0.113, 0.022
7) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 27.667, 130.119, 0.114, 0.001
8) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, 27.683, 130.044, 0.130, 0.016
9) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 27.750, 129.730, 0.197, 0.067
10) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 27.753, 129.716, 0.200, 0.003
11) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Thomas' Chevrolet, 27.766, 129.655, 0.213, 0.013
12) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 27.870, 129.171, 0.317, 0.104
13) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 27.974, 128.691, 0.421, 0.104
14) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 EnviroXstream Chevrolet, 27.988, 128.627, 0.435, 0.014
15) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 28.140, 127.932, 0.587, 0.152
16) Zane Smith(i), No. 38 Wellcare Ford, 28.324, 127.101, 0.771, 0.184
17) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Mutoh Chevrolet, 28.752, 125.209, 1.199, 0.428
18) Cody Ware, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co Ford, 28.854, 124.766, 1.301, 0.102

Round 1B
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, -Fastest, -Next
1) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 27.324 sec, 131.752 mph, ---, ---
2) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, 27.623, 130.326, 0.299 sec, 0.299 sec
3) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 27.632, 130.284, 0.308, 0.009
4) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Dent Wizard Ford, 27.642, 130.237, 0.318, 0.010
5) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Kubota Chevrolet, 27.656, 130.171, 0.332, 0.014
6) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 27.660, 130.152, 0.336, 0.004
7) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 27.671, 130.100, 0.347, 0.011
8) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 27.700, 129.964, 0.376, 0.029
9) Josh Berry(i), No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, 27.716, 129.889, 0.392, 0.016
10) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet, 27.723, 129.856, 0.399, 0.007
11) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Socios Ford, 27.757, 129.697, 0.433, 0.034
12) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet, 27.762, 129.674, 0.438, 0.005
13) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 27.779, 129.594, 0.455, 0.017
14) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 27.784, 129.571, 0.460, 0.005
15) Todd Gilliland, No. 15 OTR Mobile Ford, 28.042, 128.379, 0.718, 0.258
16) Austin Dillon, No. 3 BetMGM March Matchups Chevrolet, 28.058, 128.306, 0.734, 0.016
17) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Go Bowling Ford, 28.084, 128.187, 0.760, 0.026
18) BJ McLeod, No. 78 Superior Logistics Services Chevrolet, 28.194, 127.687, 0.870, 0.110

Round 2
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, - Fastest, -Next
1) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 27.642 sec, 130.237 mph, ---, ---
2) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Shingrix Toyota, 27.707, 129.931, 0.065 sec, 0.065 sec
3) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 27.709, 129.922, 0.067, 0.002
4) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Castrol Edge Ford, 27.743, 129.762, 0.101, 0.034
5) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 27.782, 129.580, 0.140, 0.039
6) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Kubota Chevrolet, 27.822, 129.394, 0.180, 0.040
7) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 27.867, 129.185, 0.225, 0.045
8) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Dent Wizard Ford, 27.889, 129.083, 0.247, 0.022
9) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, 27.918, 128.949, 0.276, 0.029
10) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 27.933, 128.880, 0.291, 0.015

Starting Line Up: United Rentals Work United 500, Phoenix Raceway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 27.642 sec, 130.237 mph
2) Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Shingrix Toyota, 27.707, 129.931
3) William Byron, No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, 27.709, 129.922
4) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Castrol Edge Ford, 27.743, 129.762
5) Christopher Bell, No. 20 Rheem Toyota, 27.782, 129.580
6) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Kubota Chevrolet, 27.822, 129.394
7) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, 27.867, 129.185
8) Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Dent Wizard Ford, 27.889, 129.083
9) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, 27.918, 128.949
10) Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, 27.933, 128.880
11) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 27.660, 130.152
12) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, 27.666, 130.124
13) Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 27.667, 130.119
14) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 27.671, 130.100
15) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, 27.683, 130.044
16) Joey Logano, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, 27.700, 129.964
17) Josh Berry(i), No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, 27.716, 129.889
18) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Best Friends Chevrolet, 27.723, 129.856
19) Bubba Wallace, No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 27.750, 129.730
20) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, 27.753, 129.716
21) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Socios Ford, 27.757, 129.697
22) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet, 27.762, 129.674
23) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Thomas' Chevrolet, 27.766, 129.655
24) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, 27.779, 129.594
25) Ryan Preece, No. 41 United Rentals Ford, 27.784, 129.571
26) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 27.870, 129.171
27) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 27.974, 128.691
28) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 EnviroXstream Chevrolet, 27.988, 128.627
29) Todd Gilliland, No. 15 OTR Mobile Ford, 28.042, 128.379
30) Austin Dillon, No. 3 BetMGM March Matchups Chevrolet, 28.058, 128.306
31) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Go Bowling Ford, 28.084, 128.187
32) Noah Gragson #, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet, 28.140, 127.932
33) BJ McLeod, No. 78 Superior Logistics Services Chevrolet, 28.194, 127.687
34) Zane Smith(i), No. 38 Wellcare Ford, 28.324, 127.101
35) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Mutoh Chevrolet, 28.752, 125.209
36) Cody Ware, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co Ford, 28.854, 124.766
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Track Qualifying Record: Jimmie Johnson, 11/15/15, 25.147 sec, 143.158 mph
Track Race Record: Tony Stewart, 11/07/99, 2:38:28, 118.132 mph