Michael McDowell topped the speed charts during NASCAR Cup Series qualifying on Saturday with a lap time of 30.999 seconds (178.844 mph) to claim his first career pole.
He expressed confidence and motivation moving forward.
“It’s just motivating to make the most of the opportunity we have in front of us because right now, today,” McDowell said. “We have fast cars and that’s not a guarantee six months from now and that’s not a guarantee 12 months from now. I know that because I lived the other side for a long time, so it’s making the most of the opportunity that we have right in front of us right now because right now we’re in the game and have something for them.”
Joey Logano qualified second-fastest (178.242 mph) followed by Kyle Busch (178.235 mph) Todd Gilliland (178.08 mph) and Kyle Larson (177.829 mph). Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe and Austin Dillon completed the top 10 in qualifying for Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400.
Notably, seven Fords and three Chevrolets comprised the top 10 in the qualifying session.
The Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX with radio coverage provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Starting Lineup:
| Starting pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Michael McDowell |
| 2. | Joey Logano |
| 3. | Kyle Busch |
| 4. | Todd Gilliland |
| 5. | Kyle Larson |
| 6. | Ryan Blaney |
| 7. | Chris Buescher |
| 8. | Austin Cindric |
| 9. | Chase Briscoe |
| 10. | Austin Dillon |
| 11. | William Byron |
| 12. | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 13. | Denny Hamlin |
| 14. | Josh Berry |
| 15. | Noah Gragson |
| 16. | Harrison Burton |
| 17. | Alex Bowman |
| 18. | Bubba Wallace |
| 19. | Tyler Reddick |
| 20. | Ryan Preece |
| 21. | Ross Chastain |
| 22. | Christopher Bell |
| 23. | Daniel Suarez |
| 24. | Brad Keselowski |
| 25. | Ty Gibbs |
| 26. | Daniel Hemric |
| 27. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 28. | Chase Elliott |
| 29. | Zane Smith |
| 30. | Josh Wiliams |
| 31. | Justin Haley |
| 32. | Corey LaJoie |
| 33. | Kaz Grala |
| 34. | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 35. | Carson Hocevar |
| 36. | BJ McLeod |
| 37. | Erik Jones |
