Ryan Blaney snags pole at North Wilkesboro with dominant qualifying run

Ryan Blaney blazed to the pole position at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Friday, locking in the top spot for Saturday’s NASCAR race with a near-flawless qualifying run.

What happened?

Blaney, driving the No. 6 Ford Mustang for Team Penske, topped the charts with a lap of 9.83 seconds at 93.073 mph. The result sets him up to start from the front row in the NASCAR Cup Series event at the historic 0.625-mile short track. The rest of the front row was claimed by Kyle Larson, who will line up second alongside Blaney.

Why it matters for Ryan Blaney

This pole marks Blaney’s latest strong run in 2026, adding to a season already packed with top-10 finishes. North Wilkesboro’s tight, technical layout plays to Blaney’s strengths-precision over raw speed-after he finished fifth here last year. A top-two start keeps him in prime position to challenge for his first win at the track.

What comes next?

Saturday’s race kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, with Blaney aiming to convert his qualifying speed into race-day success. The field also features past North Wilkesboro winners like Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., both lurking just outside the top five in qualifying. A clean race and smart pit strategy will be key for Blaney to avoid the attrition that often plagues the tight confines of the 0.625-mile oval.

The rest of the starting grid

Kyle Busch rounded out the top three, followed by Chase Elliott in fourth and Joey Logano in fifth. The top 10 also included Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, William Byron, and Kevin Harvick. The depth of the field underscores the competitive nature of the Cup Series, where even a slight misstep can derail a fast car.