Motorsports
Chase Briscoe earns Brickyard 400 pole as Denny Hamlin wrecks hard
Indiana native Chase Briscoe rocketed to pole position for this year’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Earning his series-leading fifth pole of the 2025 season, Briscoe bested 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace and Legacy Motor Club’s Erik Jones.
Wallace, who enters this race on the playoff bubble, was just 0.013s away from pole position.
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As for Briscoe, his season has included pole positions in three crown jewel events — the Daytona 500, the Coca Cola 600, and now the Brickyard 400.
Tyler Reddick qualified fourth, and Ty Gibbs, who is in the finals of the $1 million in-season challenge, starts fifth.
William Byron was the top Chevrolet driver in sixth, Chris Buescher led the way for Ford in seventh, Carson Hocevar was eighth, A.J. Allmendinger ninth, and Austin Cindric tenth.
Rookie Shane van Gisbergen ended up eleventh in his best qualifying effort yet on a Cup Series oval.
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On the edge of control
Watch: Back home again: Briscoe to lead field to green at Indianapolis
“I was super close to doing that (wrecking), really in all four corners,” said Briscoe. “That’s the closest I think I’ve ever gotten to Indy 500 qualifying, just being on the absolute ragged edge. I thought I was gonna lose it a couple times, but I was able to hold onto it. Super cool. I’m holding back tears, truthfully. This is such a special moment for me, and even hearing the crowd as I got the pole — it was just super cool. Hopefully, we can keep it up there tomorrow. That’s the one we want to win.”
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The session was full of heart-stopping moments as drivers struggled to maintain control over the course of a flying lap around the iconic 2.5-mile speedway.
Several drivers hit the wall, including John Hunter Nemechek, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch.
Chase Elliott nearly spun out at the exit of Turn 2, which was a big trouble spot for drivers.
Hamlin wrecks while going for pole
Denny Hamlin was the final driver out on track, hoping to snag pole position just after signing a multi-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing. And he was absolutely flying in the No. 11 Toyota — with the tracker showing him on provisional pole — nearly three tenths faster than Briscoe at the exit of Turn 2.
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Unfortunately, that’s when the car came out from underneath him and Hamlin slapped the outside wall. Now completely out of control, the car spun back across the track and slammed the inside wall with tremendous force. The front of the car was destroyed, and instead of celebrating an impressive pole, Hamlin will start 39th on Sunday. The Brickyard 400 is the only crown jewel race Hamlin has yet to win.
Photos from Indianapolis – Practice & Qualifying
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
James Gilbert / Getty Images
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Crew chief Cliff Daniels, Hendrick Motorsports
Crew chief Cliff Daniels, Hendrick Motorsports
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing, Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing, Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford
Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota
Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
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Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
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Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
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Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Read Also:
Layne Riggs wins NASCAR Truck race at IRP in dominant showing
Stewart Friesen disqualified from NASCAR Truck race, stripped of podium finish
Denny Hamlin says new JGR contract extension “most likely” his last
|
1 |
19 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
49.136 |
|
183.165 |
|
|
2 |
23 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.013 49.149 |
0.013 |
183.117 |
|
|
3 |
43 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.112 49.248 |
0.099 |
182.749 |
|
|
4 |
45 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.131 49.267 |
0.019 |
182.678 |
|
|
5 |
54 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.194 49.330 |
0.063 |
182.445 |
|
|
6 |
24 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.306 49.442 |
0.112 |
182.031 |
|
|
7 |
17 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.311 49.447 |
0.005 |
182.013 |
|
|
8 |
77 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.359 49.495 |
0.048 |
181.837 |
|
|
9 |
16 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.363 49.499 |
0.004 |
181.822 |
|
|
10 |
2 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.450 49.586 |
0.087 |
181.503 |
|
|
11 |
88 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.455 49.591 |
0.005 |
181.485 |
|
|
12 |
8 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.459 49.595 |
0.004 |
181.470 |
|
|
13 |
5 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.481 49.617 |
0.022 |
181.389 |
|
|
14 |
6 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.493 49.629 |
0.012 |
181.346 |
|
|
15 |
22 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.557 49.693 |
0.064 |
181.112 |
|
|
16 |
20 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.659 49.795 |
0.102 |
180.741 |
|
|
17 |
Wood Brothers Racing |
21 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.694 49.830 |
0.035 |
180.614 |
|
18 |
4 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.758 49.894 |
0.064 |
180.382 |
|
|
19 |
34 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.805 49.941 |
0.047 |
180.213 |
|
|
20 |
3 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.813 49.949 |
0.008 |
180.184 |
|
|
21 |
48 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.831 49.967 |
0.018 |
180.119 |
|
|
22 |
71 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.838 49.974 |
0.007 |
180.094 |
|
|
23 |
60 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.843 49.979 |
0.005 |
180.076 |
|
|
24 |
12 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.856 49.992 |
0.013 |
180.029 |
|
|
25 |
35 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+0.876 50.012 |
0.020 |
179.957 |
|
|
26 |
10 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.915 50.051 |
0.039 |
179.817 |
|
|
27 |
38 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.925 50.061 |
0.010 |
179.781 |
|
|
28 |
7 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.931 50.067 |
0.006 |
179.759 |
|
|
29 |
41 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+0.952 50.088 |
0.021 |
179.684 |
|
|
30 |
9 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+0.978 50.114 |
0.026 |
179.591 |
|
|
31 |
99 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+1.065 50.201 |
0.087 |
179.279 |
|
|
32 |
47 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+1.174 50.310 |
0.109 |
178.891 |
|
|
33 |
1 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+1.197 50.333 |
0.023 |
178.809 |
|
|
34 |
51 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+1.452 50.588 |
0.255 |
177.908 |
|
|
35 |
Beard Motorsports |
62 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+1.665 50.801 |
0.213 |
177.162 |
|
36 |
42 |
|
Toyota |
1 |
+1.853 50.989 |
0.188 |
176.509 |
|
|
37 |
66 |
|
Ford |
1 |
+5.429 54.565 |
3.576 |
164.941 |
|
|
38 |
78 |
|
Chevrolet |
1 |
+7.827 56.963 |
2.398 |
157.997 |
|
|
39 |
11 |
|
Toyota |
0 |
|
|
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