NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono starting lineup: Denny Hamlin wins third pole of 2022

Denny Hamlin won the pole for the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, giving him the top starting spot at one of his best racetracks and his third pole overall in 2022. Hamlin laid down a lap of 52.944 (169.991 mph) in the final round of qualifying to beat Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch.

Hamlin’s third pole of 2022 now ties him for the most in Cup this season, joining Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell in that category. It is also his fourth career pole at Pocono, a track where he has earned six of his 48 career victories, including his very first back in 2006.

In Saturday’s practice and qualifying session, Turn 3 proved to be the trouble spot on the Tricky Triangle. William Byron and Ross Chastain both spun on corner exit in practice, but both managed to keep their cars out of the wall. Kurt Busch was not so lucky:  He spun coming to the green flag for his final round qualifying attempt, pounding the outside wall and forcing him and his 23XI Racing team to a backup car for Sunday.

Although Hamlin was able to take the pole, his weekend so far has not been without its problems. Hamlin’s car was one of five to fail pre-qualifying tech inspection twice, resulting in a loss of pit selection and the ejection of a crew member from the weekend. Other teams incurring that penalty included those of Corey LaJoie, Chris Buescher, Ty Dillon and Josh Bilicki.

M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 starting lineup

1. #11 – Denny Hamlin
2. #18 – Kyle Busch
3. #9 – Chase Elliott
4. #5 – Kyle Larson
5. #17 – Chris Buescher
6. #12 – Ryan Blaney
7. #23 – Bubba Wallace
8. #19 – Martin Truex Jr.
9. #99 – Daniel Suarez
10. #45 – Kurt Busch
11. #20 – Christopher Bell
12. #10 – Aric Almirola
13. #14 – Chase Briscoe
14. #22 – Joey Logano
15. #3 – Austin Dillon
16. #8 – Tyler Reddick
17. #48 – Alex Bowman
18. #24 – William Byron
19. #47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
20. #2 – Austin Cindric (R)
21. #1 – Ross Chastain
22. #16 – Noah Gragson
23. #7 – Corey LaJoie
24. #4 – Kevin Harvick
25. #34 – Michael McDowell
26. #6 – Brad Keselowski
27. #42 – Ty Dillon
28. #21 – Harrison Burton (R)
29. #38 – Todd Gilliland (R)
30. #31 – Justin Haley
31. #77 – Josh Bilicki
32. #41 – Cole Custer
33. #15 – J.J. Yeley
34. #43 – Erik Jones
35. #78 – B.J. McLeod
36. #51 – Cody Ware