Michigan’s Brad Keselowski Wins the Pole at his Home Track

Brad Keselowski, the driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award decal after qualifying for the pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 11, 2017, in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Brad Keselowski will start on the pole for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 (at 3 pm ET on NBCSN), after taking the top-spot from fellow Ford driver Ryan Blaney, who had posted the fastest times to that point, but bobbled twice in his run in the final qualifying round on Friday at Michigan International Speedway. Continue reading

Alex Bowman Tabbed to Replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in No. 88 Chevrolet

Alex Bowman, the driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands on the grid before the weather delayed Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is retiring from full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing next season, and a young driver he’s long championed has earned his ride.

Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet next season, Hendrick Motorsports announced today. Bowman, 24, impressed the 12-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion team last year, piloting the No. 88 in ten of the last 18 races for the injured Earnhardt. He notched three top-ten finishes, including a sixth-place showing at Phoenix where he won the Coors Light Pole and led a race-high 194 laps. Continue reading

Martin Truex Jr. Wins Pole for Chase Cutoff Race at Talladega

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 22: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the NNASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 22: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Just 13 points to the good entering Sunday’s Round of 12 cutoff race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Martin Truex Jr. gave himself as much of a cushion as possible, winning the pole for the Hellman’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway during Saturday’s knockout qualifying session.

Seventh in the Chase standings, and 13 points ahead of Joey Logano and Austin Dillon, Truex covered the 2.66-mile distance in 49.508 seconds (193.423 mph) to claim the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday’s race at 2 pm ET on NBCSN that will trim the Chase field from 12 drivers to eight. Continue reading