The NASCAR Cup Series returns from a week off. And it’s heading to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500. Sunday’s race figures to be one of the most unpredictable of the season.
Information Regarding the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Bristol Motor Speedway
The Food City 500 gets underway on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, according to Bob Pockrass. Also, coverage will air on FS1. The pre-race NASCAR RaceDay begins at 2 p.m. ET. The race is also available on HBO Max and PRN Radio. It will also air on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Sunday’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s. There is only a 5% chance of rain.
Ryan Blaney secured the pole for Sunday’s race. He posted a lap of 15.101 seconds at 127.064 mph. It was the 13th pole of his career. Reddick clocked 126.871 mph in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota.
“I just kind of got free on Lap 1, landing into 1,” Blaney said. He noted that his rear tires responded better on the second qualifying lap. He also added, “Good start to the weekend. Now we’ve got to do 500 laps.”
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Goodyear has introduced a new tire combination. And Cup Series drivers will also deal with a new short-track competition package. It features higher horsepower and lower downforce.
“I think just being ready for the track to change is the biggest thing for me,” Blaney said.
“Tomorrow, we’re going to be everywhere, ’cause the top is going to come in tomorrow, and that’s going to be completely different from what you need to run the bottom. It’s been a pretty decent place for us. Hopefully, tomorrow we can contend for the win,” Blaney said.
Chase Briscoe lined up third at 126.779 mph in the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Riley Herbst was fourth at 125.679 mph.
Ty Gibbs qualified fifth. And Ross Chastain was sixth in the session. Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson, Austin Cindric, and Carson Hocevar rounded out the top 10.
But the post-qualifying period brought some drama. The cars of Larson, Chastain, Cole Custer, and Chad Finchum each failed pre-race inspection.
It led to the ejection of their car chiefs. And a loss of pit selection for Sunday. Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet also failed inspection. And it was twice. The engineer ejected. Then, the pit selection forfeited.
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Ricky Stenhouse turned a lap of 15.403 seconds at 124.573 mph. Gragson posted 124.283 mph. On the other hand, Austin Cindric led the second group.
And finished third overall. He finished in the No. 2 car. It was for Team Penske Ford. Also, Erik Jones and Bubba Wallace completed the top five.
