NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Atlanta sets starting lineup as Ford secures top positions

Front row and early grid shaped by single-lap speed at Atlanta

NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway has set the starting lineup for the weekend’s main event, with the pole winner determined by the fastest single-lap time around the 1.54-mile superspeedway-style oval in Hampton, Georgia. The qualifying session produced a tightly packed leaderboard and reinforced how manufacturer and organizational strength can influence the front of the grid at Atlanta’s high-speed configuration.

Ryan Blaney secured the pole position with a best lap of 30.908 seconds (179.371 mph). Austin Cindric will start alongside him on the front row after a near-identical lap of 30.910 seconds (179.359 mph), leaving the top two separated by two-thousandths of a second. The margins continued to be slim throughout the field, reflecting the draft-sensitive nature of speed at Atlanta and the premium placed on clean execution in a single timed lap.

Top starters: Penske-affiliated Fords occupy the first two rows

The top four positions were captured by Team Penske and its affiliate, Wood Brothers Racing, underscoring a strong organizational showing in qualifying trim. Josh Berry qualified third (30.948 seconds / 179.139 mph), while reigning series champion Joey Logano will start fourth (31.002 seconds / 178.827 mph). Todd Gilliland rounded out the top five with a lap of 31.018 seconds (178.735 mph).

• 1. Ryan Blaney — 30.908 (179.371 mph)
• 2. Austin Cindric — 30.910 (179.359 mph)
• 3. Josh Berry — 30.948 (179.139 mph)
• 4. Joey Logano — 31.002 (178.827 mph)
• 5. Todd Gilliland — 31.018 (178.735 mph)

Manufacturer picture: Ford pace versus Chevrolet and Toyota benchmarks

Ford drivers filled 10 of the top 11 qualifying spots, an outcome that placed immediate emphasis on Ford’s one-lap speed relative to Chevrolet and Toyota entries. Kyle Busch emerged as the leading Chevrolet qualifier in sixth (31.037 seconds / 178.626 mph), while Bubba Wallace was the top Toyota qualifier in 14th (177.670 mph). Daytona 500 winner William Byron qualified 16th (177.550 mph).

Qualifying at Atlanta tends to compress the field, where thousandths of a second can determine multiple rows of track position.

What qualifying does—and does not—predict at Atlanta

While the starting lineup establishes early track position, Atlanta’s racing frequently features large packs, drafting dynamics, and rapid changes in running order. Single-car qualifying speed can indicate organizational efficiency and aerodynamic performance, but race outcomes at Atlanta often hinge on pit execution, situational drafting partners, late-race restarts, and avoiding multi-car incidents typical of superspeedway-style competition.

The Cup field will take those qualifying results into the race with a Ford-heavy front pack and a premium on controlling the early draft from the front rows.