What’s Happening?

The Cup Series returns to Texas Motor Speedway, the second race of a 28-week stretch to the end of the season. After multiple driver complaints about the lack of passing during practice, it was Carson Hocevar who earned the pole position for Sunday’s event. Last year, Chase Elliott broke a 42-race winless streak, but he has not won since. Will we see a winless streak broken again?

Practice Results

• Fastest Lap: Carson Hocevar – 28.288s
• Best Overall Average: AJ Allmendinger – 29.136s
• Best 5-Lap Average: Carson Hocevar – 28.562s
• Best 10-Lap Average: Austin Cindric – 28.851s
• Best 15-Lap Average: Austin Cindric – 28.979s
• Best 20-Lap Average: Austin Cindric – 29.058s
• Best 25-Lap Average: Austin Cindric – 29.129s
• Best 30-Lap Average: Ty Gibbs – 29.203s

Starting Lineup – Notables

• Carson Hocevar earns first-ever career Cup Series pole
• Michael McDowell starts 5th; two Spire cars start inside the top five
• Fast long-run cars of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano will start only 24th and 27th, respectively

Ones to Watch

• William Byron: In 3 Texas races with the Next-Gen car, Byron has finished no worse than 8th. His average finish of 3.7 with the car at this racetrack is the best, and his 126 points scored are the most. The stats suggest Byron is the favorite, and he will start strong after a P2 result in qualifying.
• Carson Hocevar: He got his first career Truck Series victory at this Track, and now his first Cup Series pole. A racetrack of firsts for Hocevar, and he has been fast this year. Can he close the deal this time?
• Kyle Larson: Needless to say, Larson is the heavy favorite to win if he stays out of trouble; He has consistently been the fastest on intermediates and at Texas, and also won Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, subbing for injured Connor Zilisch, and should have momentum on his side, besides having learned about the track in the process. He will start 4th.
• Denny Hamlin: A 3-time winner at Texas Motor Speedway, Hamlin may not have been the fastest on intermediates this year, but he should not be counted out. He launches off P8.
• Austin Cindric: With the fastest long-run car in practice, it doesn’t seem like that stopped him from having a good short-run car. He is also fresh off a win at Talladega and has momentum on his side. He will start 4th, the highest Penske qualifier by 20 spots.

Pit Stall Selections

Race Info

Start Time: 3:43 PM EST
Broadcast: FS1
Race Distance: 267 Laps | 400 Miles
Stage Lengths: 80 | 85 | 102
Tire Allotment: 9 sets
Fuel Window: 62-68 laps
Chance of Rain: 0%
Pole Time: Carson Hocevar – 28.175s
Outside Pole: William Byron – 28.189s (-0.014)
Did Not Qualify: None

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