MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Christopher Bell put forth an early problem at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday with a lap that stood up towards all comers in qualifying for Sunday’s Prepare dinner Out 400 (3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The seventeenth driver to make a run throughout time trials, Bell navigated the venerable 0.526-mile observe in 19.718 seconds (96.034 mph) and waited because the 21 drivers who adopted took their respective pictures at the usual he set.
Nobody was as much as the duty, and Bell had his first Busch Mild pole award of the season within the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — additionally his first at Martinsville and the 14th of his profession.
Chase Elliott got here closest to matching Bell’s lap. The motive force of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet coated the gap in 19.735 seconds (95.951 mph), simply 0.003 seconds quicker than teammate and third-place qualifier Alex Bowman (95.937 mph).
Regardless of turning the second-fastest lap in Saturday afternoon’s observe, Bell wasn’t optimistic about his possibilities for the pole.
“I used to be sort of down within the dumps after observe (due to the place within the qualifying order),” Bell stated. “However that was positively one of the best qualifying session I’ve ever felt out of my automotive at Martinsville. It was simply straightforward.
“I went on the market and the automotive simply had a lot grip,” Bell continued. “I am actually pleased with this (No.) 20 crew. They have been working exhausting on this Martinsville package deal. We’ll see what occurs (Sunday), however clearly, beginning up entrance might be a giant assist.”
Kyle Larson, final Sunday’s winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway, certified fourth at 95.854 mph. Bell’s teammate, five-time Martinsville winner Denny Hamlin, was fifth at 95.840 mph.
Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick and defending race winner William Byron stuffed out the remainder of the highest 10 on the grid.
Casey Mears, whose No. 66 Ford failed inspection twice earlier than qualifying, will begin thirty seventh in his first Cup Sequence race since 2019.
–By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service. Particular to Discipline Degree Media.