Skip to main content
Join Now
NASCAR Logo

William Byron knocks off Joey Logano to win pole position at Phoenix

JHby:Jonathan Howard•about 22 hours•

Jondean25

William Byron
David Yeazell-Imagn Images

As Joey Logano waited to take his pole award at Phoenix, William Byron laid down a hot lap as the final driver on the track. It was enough to knock Logano off the NASCAR Cup Series pole position. Tough break.

Had Joey Logano won the pole it would have been the 700th for Team Penske across all forms of motorsports. William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports said, no no no.

We know that Hendrick and Penske are the best at Phoenix in the fall. Will we see that continue for the spring race this weekend?

William Byron already has a win on the season. Now he has a pole. Could we see Byron make a huge statement on the championship track and win at Phoenix? It would be impressive to see Byron match Christopher Bell’s early season win total.

This is a track that everyone is focused on. All of the data, notes, and feelings that you can get from this race right now will help you if you make the Championship 4. Of course, making it to that point is the hardest part of the job.

The last two years, William Byron has made the final four. So, he and his team feel that this is a race they have to take seriously. It wouldn’t be a shock to see them extend that streak to three years this November.

William Byron on Cup pole, Alex Bowman on Xfinity pole

How about a little NASCAR Cup Series talent to shake up the Xfinity Series race today? Alex Bowman will lead the field to green. Bowman earned his fourth career pole in the series and will race the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy this afternoon.

Alex Bowman will have to hop out of the Xfinity car, into the Cup car, and then back into the Xfinity car. He has a busy afternoon ahead of him.

With Bowman setting the tone in qualifying, the Xfinity Series regulars are on notice. Bowman is going to do whatever he can to win at his home track. Sheldon Creed will start P2 on the front row next to the 17 car.

Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch locked up the second row for JR Motorsports. Keep an eye on them, Smith won this race two years ago.

Alex Bowman is going to be tough to beat for this Xfinity Series field. However, never say never. There is a ton of talent in the series right now. Even for a Cup regular, today’s race will not be easy.