Ryan Blaney secured his first pole position of the 2025 NASCAR season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, marking the 11th pole of his career. The Team Penske driver outpaced his teammates and competitors in a thrilling qualifying session, setting the stage for Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400. Here’s a detailed recap of the event, including highlights, results, and what to expect in the race.
Qualifying Session Highlights
Ryan Blaney Takes the Pole
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, clocked a blazing lap speed of 179.371 mph in his No. 12 Team Penske Ford. His performance was just 0.002 seconds faster than teammate Austin Cindric and 0.040 seconds quicker than Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing.
Team Penske Dominates
- Austin Cindric: Secured the second spot on the grid.
- Joey Logano: Qualified fourth, completing a strong showing for Team Penske.
- Fords Dominate: Ford cars claimed 10 of the top 11 positions in qualifying.
Other Notable Performances
- Kyle Busch: The lone Chevrolet in the top 10, starting sixth.
- Toyota Struggles: Only two Toyotas made it into the top 20, with Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick starting 14th and 18th, respectively.
What to Expect in the Ambetter Health 400
Small Superspeedway Drama
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile high banks create a racing style similar to superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega. This means:
- Unpredictable Outcomes: Position changes and drafting battles are expected.
- Strategy Matters: Pit stops and teamwork will play a crucial role.
Blaney’s Confidence
Blaney expressed optimism about his team’s performance but acknowledged the challenges ahead:
- “It’s nice to all start together, but things are going to change during the race.”
Full Qualifying Results
Here are the top 10 qualifiers for the Ambetter Health 400:
- Ryan Blaney – No. 12 Team Penske Ford
- Austin Cindric – No. 2 Team Penske Ford
- Josh Berry – No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
- Joey Logano – No. 22 Team Penske Ford
- Todd Gilliland – No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Kyle Busch – No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Zane Smith – No. 71 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Noah Gragson – No. 10 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Daniel Suárez – No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (starting 29th)
- Bubba Wallace – No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
For the complete lineup, visit the official NASCAR website.
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Ryan Blaney’s pole win at Atlanta Motor Speedway highlights Team Penske’s dominance and sets the stage for an exciting Ambetter Health 400. With Ford cars leading the pack and the unpredictability of superspeedway-style racing, fans can expect a thrilling race. Tune in on Sunday to see how it all unfolds!
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