Larson wins pole for Cup race at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kyle Larson won the pole Saturday for the NASCAR Cup Series' United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday.
Larson's 130.237 mph lap in his No. 5 Chevrolet was another positive for Hendrick Motorsports, which finished 1-2-3 in Las Vegas last weekend, led by race winner William Byron.
Larson won the Cup championship in Phoenix in 2021. Byron qualified third for Sunday's race in his No. 24 Chevrolet.
Larson had the final car to hit the track in the last round of qualifying on Saturday and edged Denny Hamlin, who will start on the outside of Row 1 in his No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Larson also had the fastest car in practice Friday.
Brad Keselowski will start fourth while Christopher Bell rounded out the top five.
“Qualifying is really important here,” Larson said. “We got the pole in ‘21 and that really helped us win the championship race. I think that No. 1 pit stall means a lot, so happy to be quick this weekend, quick in practice and have it translate to qualifying.”
It hasn't all been good news for Hendrick's team this week. NASCAR officials took the hood louvers from the four Hendrick cars – including Larson's and Byron's – on Friday and will bring them to the Research & Development Center in North Carolina for inspection.
Any potential penalties would be announced next week.
Kevin Harvick, who is trying to win his 10th career race in Phoenix, qualified 15th.
NEW RULES
Drivers are getting used to a new rules package that is debuting this week in Phoenix. It applies to all short tracks and road courses, excluding Bristol and Dover.
Martin Truex Jr. and Alex Bowman echoed a general consensus that the new rules have caused cars to slide a little more in the corners because the downforce isn't quite as strong.
The drivers were given an extra 50minute practice session Friday to get used to the new setup.
“It was a little slicker, a little slower in general,” Truex said. “Basically, losing a little more brake and less throttle. Slower
mid-corner speeds and a little more slipping and sliding. I was in a little bit of traffic and felt it was a little better in traffic, but the ultimate test will be what happens on Sunday.”
BRISCOE’S RETURN
It's been a tough start to the season for Chase Briscoe, who hasn't finished higher than 20th in the season's three races. A return to Phoenix might be just what his Stewart-haas team needs.
Briscoe got his first Cup win last
spring at the track. He executed two great restarts over the final 20 laps to pull away from Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick.
“I'm excited to try and turn our season around,” Briscoe said. “I feel like it's a great opportunity for us to do it.”
BERRY’S SECOND START
Josh Berry will be making his second Cup start in place of Chase Elliott, who broke his leg in a snowboarding accident and is likely to miss at least another
month.
The 32-year-old Berry finished 29th in Las Vegas last week in his first Cup start. JR Motorsports had to work quickly to get the No. 9 Chevrolet ready for Berry last week after news spread of Elliott's injury. The team hopes a little more time to prepare for Phoenix will lead to a better result.
“It's a weird opportunity,” Berry said. “We're all thinking about Chase, we want him to get healthy and be back. But I'm thankful, in the meantime, I get to run some races.”