INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Reddick set a new record in Saturday’s final qualifying session, posting the fastest lap of the final round and earning his first pole position for the Brickyard 400.
Reddick, 28, completed the 2.5-mile oval in his No. 45 Toyota in 49.469 seconds, slightly faster than leader Chase Elliott, who clocked 49.504 seconds in his No. 9 Ford.
Reddick was the fastest car in Friday’s practice and earned his eighth pole position this week, finishing third in the standings, 15 points behind Elliott.
“Today’s qualifying was a little bit murky for all the Cup drivers, so I just tried to keep that in mind. But I knew what my lap times were, which was really cool,” Reddick said. “I’ve always been on the other side of this. It’s nice to be inside for the first time. It means a lot to us.”
The top five teams in the Cup standings start in the first five positions, although they are not tied for the same position.
Denny Hamilton qualified third, while Kyle Larson will start fourth. Larson will start only his second race on the Indy oval this season after qualifying fifth in the Indianapolis 500.
William Byron leaves on the fifth Sunday.
Elliott, Larson and Byron all drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Hamlin drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and Reddick’s car is owned by 23XI Racing.
