Truex to lead the field to green at Martinsville

For the second straight week, Martin Truex Jr will lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

It’s Truex’s second straight pole, his first at Martinsville, and the 23rd of his career.

“It’s a big deal obviously,” he said. “We have a lot of new guys on the team and the number one pit stall is huge for us.”

Truex is currently fighting Ryan Blaney for the final playoff spot to advance to the championship race next weekend in Phoenix; he’s seeking his second Cup Series championship.

Truex barely beat his team-mate, Ty Gibbs, to take the pole. Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski completed the top 10.

Truex Jr, Hamlin, Larson, and Bell are contending for the championship; Bell and Larson have already secured their spots in the Championship 4 after winning Las Vegas (Larson) and Homestead (Bell).

The penultimate race of the 2023 season and Round of 8 finale will take place on Sunday, October 29.

Playoff Standings:

1. Kyle Larson Adv.
2. Christopher Bell Adv.
3. William Byron +30
4. Ryan Blaney +10
5. Tyler Reddick -10
6. Martin Truex, Jr. -17
7. Denny Hamlin -17
8. Chris Buescher -43

*William Byron can lock into the Championship 4 by the end of Stage 2; Buescher is in a must-win situation if he is to advance to the Championship 4

Qualifying Results:

1. Martin Truex, Jr.
2. Ty Gibbs #
3. Chase Briscoe
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Kyle Larson
6. Bubba Wallace
7. Christopher Bell
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Ryan Preece
10. Brad Keselowski
11. Ryan Blaney
12. Aric Almirola
13. Ross Chastain
14. Chase Elliott
15. Joey Logano
16. William Byron
17. Todd Gilliland
18. Chris Buescher
19. Tyler Reddick
20. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
21. Austin Cindric
22. Alex Bowman
23. Michael McDowell
24. Justin Haley
25. A.J. Allmendinger
26. Austin Dillon
27. Daniel Suárez
28. Harrison Burton
29. Erik Jones
30. Corey LaJoie
31. Kyle Busch
32. Carson Hocevar #*
33. Ryan Newman
34. Ty Dillon
35. J.J. Yeley
36. B.J. McLeod