Christopher Bell Grabs NASCAR Cup Pole At Loudon

Christopher Bell poses on the track during qualifying at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023. Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Christopher Bell will start Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway exactly where he finished his last start at the 1.058-mile New England track: in position No. 1.

Bell won Saturday’s pole qualifying session with a lap of 124.781 mph in the No. 20 JGR Toyota – just a tick faster – .007-seconds – than his teammate, Martin Truex, Jr., who will start alongside on the front row.

Aric Almirola was close to earning his second pole in as many weeks – putting his Ford only .18-second off Bell’s lap. He’ll start on the second row next to fellow Ford driver Joey Logano.

It’s the first pole position of the year for Bell and fifth of his career. It comes at a track where he has already established himself. He joins Kyle Busch as the only two drivers with victories in all three of NASCAR’s national series at New Hampshire – highlighted by last year’s NASCAR Cup Series win and also including three consecutive NASCAR Xfinity race wins from 2018-21 and a 2017 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory.

“The amount of sliding around we did today, the lack of grip, I think the cream is going to rise to the top (in the race),” Bell said. “The good drivers, good cars will be able to pass and get their way to the front. I start at the front and hopefully we stay up there but this is a place where people will try different strategies by staying out, taking two tires, short-pitting, long-pitting, whatever the case may be so you’re not guaranteed to just start out front and stay there all day.”

The remaining top qualifiers include Logano and Tyler Reddick, will start fifth and sixth on the third row. William Byron will start alongside Bubba Wallace.

Brad Keselowski – a two-time New Hampshire race winner – will start ninth, Kyle Busch.

Kevin Harvick – a four-time New Hampshire winner – will start 13th. He is attempting to become the track’s all-time winningest driver in his final start before retiring at the conclusion of the season.

Dawsonville, Georgia’s Chase Elliott was 18th fastest in qualifying.

NASCAR Cup Series
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
Crayon 301 – July 15, 2023

Saturday’s Qualifying Results

Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
1. 20 Christopher Bell Rheem/WATTS Toyota 30.524 124.781
2. 19 Martin Truex, Jr. Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota 30.531 124.752
3. 10 Aric Almirola Smithfield Ford 30.542 124.707
4. 22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford 30.571 124.589
5. 12 Ryan Blaney Menards/Sylvania Ford 30.635 124.328
6. 45 Tyler Reddick Draft Kings Network Toyota 30.640 124.308
7. 24 William Byron RaptorTough.com Chevrolet 30.742 123.896
8. 23 Bubba Wallace Draft Kings Toyota 30.748 123.871
9. 6 Brad Keselowski BuildSubmarines.com Ford 30.752 123.855
10. 8 Kyle Busch Lenovo Chevrolet 0.000 0.000
11. 3 Austin Dillon Bass Pro Shops Club Chevrolet 30.474 124.985
12. 99 Daniel Suarez SLAM! Foundation Chevrolet 30.596 124.487
13. 4 Kevin Harvick Busch Light Ford 30.598 124.479
14. 16 A.J. Allmendinger Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet 30.629 124.353
15. 5 Kyle Larson Valvoline Chevrolet 30.638 124.316
16. 47 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Kroger/Drumstick Chevrolet 30.653 124.255
17. 34 Michael McDowell The Pete Store Ford 30.665 124.207
18. 9 Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 30.666 124.203
19. 31 Justin Haley Campers Inn RV Chevrolet 30.667 124.199
20. 11 Denny Hamlin Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota 30.689 124.110
21. 41 Ryan Preece Mohawk Northeast Ford 30.709 124.029
22. 2 Austin Cindric Autotrader Ford 30.726 123.960
23. 38 Todd Gilliland A&W Root Beer Float Ford 30.754 123.847
24. 7 Corey LaJoie Schluter Systems Chevrolet 30.761 123.819
25. 48 Alex Bowman Ally Chevrolet 30.780 123.743
26. 17 Chris Buescher Fastenal Ford 30.786 123.719
27. 14 Chase Briscoe Mobil 1 Gen G Ford 30.824 123.566
28. 21 Harrison Burton Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford 30.927 123.155
29. 42 Noah Gragson # Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet 30.931 123.139
30. 43 Erik Jones Allegiant Chevrolet 30.953 123.051
31. 1 Ross Chastain Kubota Chevrolet 30.955 123.043
32. 78 B.J. McLeod Circle B Diecast Chevrolet 31.073 122.576
33. 15 Ryan Newman Parts Plus Ford 31.087 122.521
34. 51 Cole Custer(i) Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford 31.163 122.222
35. 77 Ty Dillon Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet 31.219 122.003
36. 54 Ty Gibbs # He Gets us Toyota 31.408 121.268