Keselowski Earns First NCS Pole As Owner At Texas

Brad Keselowski poses for photos after winning the pole in qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images

It’s safe to say, it’s been a good week for Brad Keselowski.

Last weekend at Bristol, the team he now has part-ownership in, Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing with driver Chris Buescher earned its first race trophy since he joined the organization this year.

On Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway, Keselowski answered that positive momentum with his first pole position in the year since he became an owner on the team.

“It’s certainly a lot of progress,” Keselowski said, adding, “You do things in this sport and it takes six to eight months to be noticed. It takes months and months of hard work for it all to come together and it’s super painful.”

Keselowski put his Ford on the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race with a lap at 188.990 mph, marking his first pole position since the 2019 season. Keselowski reminded that the series didn’t hold qualifying sessions during the 2020 COVID-19 season.

It marks Keselowski’s 18th career pole as he looks for his first series win at Texas Motor Speedway.

Keselowski’s former Team Penske teammate, Joey Logano, will start alongside him on the first row. William Byron and Tyler Reddick will start the second row.

Six Playoff cars advanced to final qualifying on Saturday. In addition to Logano and Byron, current championship leader Chase Elliott was sixth fastest. Denny Hamlin (eighth), Kyle Larson (ninth) and Daniel Suarez (10th) rounded out the second round qualifiers. Austin Cindric , who was 11th quickest was the top qualifying rookie.

“Obviously, very proud to show speed,” Keselowski said, noting he has to remember to stop sometimes and reflect on the progress.

“Now it’s actually starting to show up. It’s been a painful journey, but a good one.”

Richard Childress Racing swept opening practice at Texas. Although just eliminated from Playoff contention, Austin Dillon – a 2020 Texas winner – and Reddick were the fastest two cars in practice with Dillon turning a fast lap of 187.643 mph. Alex Bowman, Logano and Erik Jones rounded out the top 5 in practice.

NASCAR Cup Series
Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, TX
AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 – September 24, 2022

Saturday’s Qualifying Results

Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
1. 6 Brad Keselowski RoushParts.com Ford 28.573 188.990
2. 22 Joey Logano (P) AAA Insurance Ford 28.601 188.805
3. 24 William Byron (P) RaptorTough.com Chevrolet 28.601 188.805
4. 8 Tyler Reddick Lenovo/ThinkEdge Chevrolet 28.664 188.390
5. 34 Michael McDowell Love’s Travel Stops Ford 28.719 188.029
6. 9 Chase Elliott (P) NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 28.731 187.950
7. 3 Austin Dillon True Velocity Chevrolet 28.793 187.546
8. 11 Denny Hamlin (P) FedEx Office Toyota 28.879 186.987
9. 5 Kyle Larson (P) HendrickCars.com Chevrolet 28.996 186.233
10. 99 Daniel Suarez (P) Aguas Frescas Chevrolet 29.126 185.401
11. 2 Austin Cindric # (P) Discount Tire Ford 28.751 187.820
12. 1 Ross Chastain (P) Renu Chevrolet 28.753 187.806
13. 17 Chris Buescher Fastenal Ford 28.763 187.741
14. 12 Ryan Blaney (P) Menards/Tarkett Ford 28.768 187.709
15. 19 Martin Truex, Jr. Bass Pro Shops Toyota 28.826 187.331
16. 23 Ty Gibbs(i) Monster Energy Toyota 28.836 187.266
17. 48 Alex Bowman (P) Ally Chevrolet 28.837 187.259
18. 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota 28.840 187.240
19. 45 Bubba Wallace MoneyLion Toyota 28.851 187.169
20. 21 Harrison Burton # DEX Imaging Ford 28.851 187.169
21. 47 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Kroger/NOS Chevrolet 28.944 186.567
22. 20 Christopher Bell (P) Rheem – Smurfit Kappa Toyota 28.963 186.445
23. 4 Kevin Harvick Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford 28.994 186.245
24. 41 Cole Custer Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Ford 29.051 185.880
25. 10 Aric Almirola Smithfield/IHOP Ford 29.084 185.669
26. 16 Noah Gragson(i) Freedom by Ed Morse Chevrolet 29.103 185.548
27. 43 Erik Jones FOCUSfactor Chevrolet 29.137 185.331
28. 38 Todd Gilliland # First Phase Ford 29.150 185.249
29. 7 Corey LaJoie Shelton Energy Solutions Chevrolet 29.170 185.122
30. 14 Chase Briscoe (P) Rush Truck Centers/Cummins Ford 29.181 185.052
31. 31 Justin Haley LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet 29.261 184.546
32. 42 Ty Dillon Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet 29.305 184.269
33. 15 Garrett Smithley(i) Trophy Tractor Ford 29.501 183.045
34. 78 B.J. McLeod(i) Boss Truck Shops Ford 29.744 181.549
35. 77 Landon Cassill(i) WearMe Chevrolet 30.380 177.749
36. 51 Cody Ware Nurtec ODT Ford 0.000 0.000