NASCAR at Loudon: Logano on pole as Round of 12 begins; Byron tops practice
Joey Logano will lead the field to green at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, claiming pole for the opening race of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Logano’s lap of 130.622 mph (29.159s) marks his second pole of the season and puts the reigning champion in prime position for Sunday’s critical playoff opener.
Qualifying: Logano sets the standard
With a clean, committed lap around the flat mile at Loudon, Logano seized track position that is traditionally valuable at “The Magic Mile,” where long green-flag runs and pit strategy can dictate the race.
Practice: Byron quickest, mixed day for playoff field
William Byron topped practice at 127.834 mph (29.795s), signaling strong race trim speed in the No. 24. AJ Allmendinger clocked the second-fastest time at 127.645 mph, with Ryan Preece also among the early standouts. Notably, only three playoff drivers landed inside the top 10 in the session, hinting at a competitive and unpredictable race day.
What to watch
- Track position vs. tire wear: Clean air and lane choice off restarts are pivotal at Loudon.
- Long-run pace: Teams that balance short-run grip with long-run stability will thrive.
- Playoff pressure: With points at a premium, expect bold strategy calls and aggressive restarts.
With Logano starting out front and Byron showing speed over longer runs, the Round of 12 begins with a tantalizing duel between qualifying prowess and race-trim execution.
