LOUDON, N.H. — Joey Logano led Ford’s top-three sweep in qualifying Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday’s opening race in the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Logano, who won his third championship last season, enthusiastically celebrated the 33rd pole of his Cup Series career and second this season after turning a lap in 29.159 seconds and at 130.622 mph in the Team Penske No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.
It’s the first pole for the New England native at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which was the site of his first Cup Series win in June 2009 and one of his 37 career wins in September 2014. The 35-year-old Logano was born in Middletown, Connecticut.
“Man, it’s my home track,” Logano said. “It feels so good to run well here. Hopefully we’re able to capitalize.”
Ryan Blaney will start second in the No. 12 Ford as Team Penske captured the front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s the 11th pole at New Hampshire for Penske.