Entering the season, Cole Custer was widely regarded as the favorite for the NASCAR Xfinity Series title this season. Now, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver is looking to start the post-season strong at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Driving the No. 00 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang, Custer blasted to the top of the speed charts in Friday’s single-vehicle qualifying, posting a time of 15.684 seconds (122.341mph).
The Stewart-Haas Racing driver scored his 17th career pole position in the second-tier series, three of which have come at Bristol Motor Speedway. The qualifying triumph also marks Custer’s fifth pole of 2023.
Josh Berry, driving the No. 8 for JR Motorsports, will start alongside Custer on the front row, as he looks to start his post-season journey with a positive finish at the 0.533-mile short track in Bristol, Tennessee.
John Hunter Nemechek will start the 300-lap event from third place, while Kaulig Racing teammates Chandler Smith and Daniel Hemric completed the top five in qualifying. Sammy Smith, Ryan Sieg, Brandon Jones, Jeremy Clements, and Justin Allgaier rounded out the top-10.
A bunch of NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff drivers qualified outside the top-10 on Friday, including Sam Mayer in 11th, Parker Kligerman in 13th, Sheldon Creed in 21st, and regular-season champion Austin Hill in 26th.
Jeb Burton, viewed as an underdog in the Xfinity Series post-season, will have to start from the rear of the field, after a mechanical issue sent the No. 27 Chevrolet Camaro into the outside wall during practice, forcing the team to a backup car.
Qualifying Results – Food City 300 at Bristol:
Qualifying Results: 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 at Bristol
