On the eve of NASCAR Cup Series points leader Kyle Larson attempting “The Double,” driving in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, Ty Gibbs stole a bit of the NASCAR Cup Series’ points leader’s spotlight during Saturday’s qualifying session at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Gibbs turned a hot lap of 183.955 mph, claiming the pole position for the Memorial Day weekend’s marathon event. The Joe Gibbs Racing pilot edged William Byron by 0.06 seconds for the right to lead the 40-machine field to the green flag at the 1.5-mile track.
Larson, who is scheduled to make his Indy 500 debut Sunday afternoon, qualified 10th Saturday. The Cup Series’ points leader at the midway mark of the regular season will start P5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Byron turned in the fastest practice lap (181.318 mph), followed by Tyler Reddick (180.114). Gibbs was fifth, nearly four mph slower than his qualifying run.
First career Cup Series POLE for Ty Gibbs! He will lead the field to green tomorrow. William Byron also on the front row. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PGLxYwlgYg
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 25, 2024
Kyle Larson Enters Digital Realm To Become Indy 500 Ready
When Larson conceived the concept of becoming the fifth driver to qualify for “H1100” about 18 months ago, the 2021 Cup Series champion started his preparation virtually.
He wanted to experience the differences of competing in a single-seat, open-cockpit racer and immediately turned to a simulator for Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I think that’s probably a big help,” Dr. Eric Warren, GM Motorsports executive director of competition, told NBC Sports. “That’s helpful in that environment. The steering forces and the car are so different that it’s probably a familiarization with the facility and the people probably really helps.”
Larson will start between Alexander Rossi and Santino Ferrucci along Row 2. Scott McLaughlin earned the pole position.
“If anybody can do it, it’s Kyle Larson.”
Larson is just the FIFTH driver to qualify for the #Indy500 / NASCAR double. His peers think he could go out and win both races. pic.twitter.com/pbRG7aAL8e
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 25, 2024
Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600
Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Colca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team
- 1, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing
- 2, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports
- 3, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing
- 4, Martin Truex Jr., 19, Joe Gibbs Racing
- 5, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports
- 6, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports
- 7, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing
- 8, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing
- 9, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports
- 10, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports
- 11, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing
- 12, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing
- 13, Josh Berry, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing
- 14, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing
- 15, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing
- 16, Ryan Blaney, 12, Team Penske
- 17, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske
- 18, Chase Briscoe, 14, Stewart-Haas Racing
- 19, Noah Gragson, 42, Stewart-Haas Racing
- 20, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports
- 21, Corey LaJoie, 7, Spire Motorsports
- 22, Justin Haley, 51, Rick Ware Racing
- 23, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47, JTG Daugherty Racing
- 24, Daniel Hemric, 31, Kaulig Racing
- 25, Zane Smith, 71, Spire Motorsports
- 26, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club
- 27, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing
- 28, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske
- 29, Jimmie Johnson, 84, Legacy Motor Club
- 30, Brad Keselowski, 6, RFK Racing
- 31, Ryan Preece, 41, Stewart-Haas Racing
- 32, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing
- 33, Kaz Grala, 15, Rick Ware Racing
- 34, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club
- 35, Todd Gilliland, 38, Front Row Motorsports
- 36, Shane van Gisbergen, 16, Kaulig Racing
- 37, BJ McLeod, 66, Power Source
- 38, Ty Dillon, 50, Team AmeriVet
- 39, Chris Buescher, 17, RFK Racing
- 40, JJ Yeley, 44, NY Racing Team
NEWS: @TyDillon will pilot the No. 50 Chevrolet in Sunday’s #CocaCola600 at Charlotte, marking the NASCAR Cup Series debut for the newly-rebranded @TeamAmeriVet — formerly known as TMT Racing.#NASCARhttps://t.co/XFnZRNGoAo
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) May 21, 2024
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