"Martinsville's Best Qualifying Session Yet: Christopher Bell Claims Pole Position"
MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Christopher Bell presented an early challenge at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday with a lap that held up against all competitors in qualifying for Sunday's Cook Out 400 (3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Bell was the 17th driver to take a run during time trials. He maneuvered the 0.526-mile track in 19.718 seconds (96.034 mph) and patiently waited as the 21 drivers who followed attempted to beat his time.
However, no one was able to surpass Bell's lap, earning him his first Busch Light pole award of the season in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. This was also his first pole at Martinsville and the 14th of his career.
Chase Elliott came closest to matching Bell's lap, with a time of 19.735 seconds (95.951 mph). His teammate, Alex Bowman, took third place with a time of 19.738 seconds (95.937 mph).
Despite having the second-fastest lap in Saturday's practice, Bell was not confident about his chances for the pole.
"I was a bit disappointed after practice (due to my position in the qualifying order)," Bell said. "But that was definitely the best qualifying session I've ever had at Martinsville. It was effortless."
"The car had so much grip," Bell continued. "I'm extremely proud of my No. 20 team. They have been working hard on our Martinsville package. We'll see what happens tomorrow, but starting at the front will definitely give us an advantage."
Kyle Larson, last week's winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway, qualified fourth with a time of 19.752 seconds (95.854 mph). Bell's teammate, Denny Hamlin, a five-time winner at Martinsville, took fifth place with a time of 19.754 seconds (95.840 mph).
Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and defending race winner William Byron completed the top 10 on the grid.
Casey Mears, whose No. 66 Ford failed inspection twice before qualifying, will start in 37th place in his first Cup Series race since 2019.
--By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.
