Denny Hamlin earns pole award for Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway

For the 41st time in his career, Denny Hamlin earns the pole award. He will lead the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix to the green flag Sunday. Hamlin has the most poles among active NASCAR Cup Series drivers.

Last season, Denny Hamlin won four pole awards, three of them coming at road courses and the fourth coming at Talladega in the Spring race. He gets things started early this year with a pole award at Phoenix.

The last pole award on a non-superspeedway oval for Hamlin came at Nashville in 2022. After earning his first top-10 of the season last week in Las Vegas, Hamlin looks ready to compete for the win this weekend.

JGR teammate Ty Gibbs will start on the front row with Hamlin.

DENNY HAMLIN ON THE POLE IN PHOENIX. Repost to congratulate Joe Gibbs Racing on sweeping the front row! https://t.co/1SmYE7ohfF pic.twitter.com/FpnloYS5wz

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 9, 2024

In his career, Denny Hamlin has two wins at Phoenix. This is his third career pole at Phoenix. In 2005, Hamlin earned his first career pole award as a part-time driver and punched his ticket as the first rookie to qualify for the Busch Light Clash the next season.

In his last five starts at Phoenix, Hamlin has two top-10s and a top-3 finish to his record. He will try and find his groove out front early in this race. Given what we know about the short track package, he might not have to worry too much about holding his spot.

Denny Hamlin earns first official pole award of the season

Back at the LA Coliseum, Denny Hamlin won the pole award in the Busch Light Clash. However, this is the first official points-paying race where Hamlin has earned a pole award. The Toyotas were strong overall, which is a good sign for the JGR veteran as well.

Behind Hamlin and Gibbs, it will be: Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, William Byron, Tyer Reddick, Noah Gragson, Chase Briscoe, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar making up the top-10.

A good showing for Stewart-Haas Racing. Really promising for Legacy Motor Club to have Erik Jones in the top group and great for Spire to make the final qualifying round with Hocevar. Lots of parity in the Cup Series early on this season, at least in qualifying.

Is this the momentum that Denny Hamlin needs to win his first race of the season? The only concern is that we aren’t going to get a very competitive race with passing. Then again, I don’t think Hamlin cares about the short track package now that he has the top spot locked down.