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NASCAR Chevy Teams Trail Slew Of Fords In Atlanta 2023 Qualifying

So far this year, NASCAR Chevy teams have claimed every single victory in the 2023 Cup Series season, but if The Bow Tie wants to continue its dominance, the Camaro ZL1 racers will have a bit of ground to make up at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While the best Chevy team is starting ninth, he’s going to have to chase a lot of Ford Mustang taillights to get to the front.

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 NASCAR Chevy Camaro, posted a time of 31.462 seconds at 176.213 mph, good enough to place him in the ninth starting position at Atlanta. For comparison, Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang, set the pole with a time of 31.256 seconds at 177.374 mph, while the second-place starter, Austin Cindric, threw the No. 2 Mustang around Atlanta in 31.262 seconds at 177.34 mph. Fords will start in the next six positions, leaving Larson’s No. 5 Camaro as the only Chevy to start within the top 10.

It’s worth noting that Larson’s No. 5 Camaro was one of five NASCAR Chevy teams hit with hefty penalties this week. Last weekend at Phoenix, NASCAR seized the hood louvres from Larson’s No. 5 Camaro; Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Camaro; William Byron’s No. 24 Camaro; Josh Berry’s No. 9 Camaro and Justin Haley’s No. 31 Camaro. Each team was found to have unapproved modifications to a single-source part, and were assessed fines and points deductions as a result.

Additionally, the No. 8 NASCAR Chevy of Kyle Busch will race without its regular car chief this weekend, as the race car failed pre-qualifying inspection twice. He has also lost pit stall selection. NASCAR did not disclose why Busch’s No. 8 Camaro did not pass inspection. He will start 17th.

The green flag at Atlanta will drop at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 19th, 2023.

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Results, Atlanta Motor Speedway, March 18, 2023
Pos Car Number Driver Team Time Speed Car
1 22 Joey Logano Autotrader Ford 31.256 177.374 Ford Mustang
2 2 Austin Cindric Menards/Knauf Ford 31.262 177.34 Ford Mustang
3 12 Ryan Blaney BodyArmor Smart Water Ford 31.284 177.215 Ford Mustang
4 6 Brad Keselowski King's Hawaiian Ford 31.323 176.995 Ford Mustang
5 10 Aric Almirola Smithfield Ford 31.324 176.989 Ford Mustang
6 4 Kevin Harvick Busch Light Ford 31.363 176.769 Ford Mustang
7 17 Chris Buescher Violet Defense Ford 31.367 176.746 Ford Mustang
8 14 Chase Briscoe HighPoint.com Ford 31.396 176.583 Ford Mustang
9 5 Kyle Larson HendrickCars.com Chevrolet 31.462 176.213 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
10 20 Christopher Bell DeWalt Toyota 0 0 Toyota TRD Camry
11 24 William Byron Liberty University Chevrolet 31.544 175.755 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
12 34 Michael McDowell Fr8Auctions.com Ford 31.545 175.749 Ford Mustang
13 3 Austin Dillon Andy's Frozen Custard Chevrolet 31.548 175.732 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
14 11 Denny Hamlin Shingrix Toyota 31.554 175.699 Toyota TRD Camry
15 48 Alex Bowman Ally Chevrolet 31.554 175.699 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
16 45 Tyler Reddick Xfinity 10G Network Toyota 31.574 175.588 Toyota TRD Camry
17 8 Kyle Busch Lenovo Chevrolet 31.583 175.537 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
18 1 Ross Chastain Advent Health Chevrolet 31.597 175.46 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
19 23 Bubba Wallace DoorDash Toyota 31.636 175.243 Toyota TRD Camry
20 31 Justin Haley LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet 31.642 175.21 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
21 9 Josh Berry(i) NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 31.662 175.099 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
22 42 Noah Gragson # Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet 31.68 175 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
23 38 Todd Gilliland Gary Martin Hays Ford 31.696 174.912 Ford Mustang
24 41 Ryan Preece Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Ford 31.801 174.334 Ford Mustang
25 99 Daniel Suarez Tootsies Orchid Lounge Chevrolet 31.835 174.148 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
26 77 Ty Dillon Ferris Commercial Mowers Chevrolet 31.835 174.148 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
27 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kroger/Nature Valley Chevrolet 31.837 174.137 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
28 43 Erik Jones Allegiant Chevrolet 31.853 174.05 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
29 19 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops Toyota 31.859 174.017 Toyota TRD Camry
30 16 AJ Allmendinger Action Industries Chevrolet 31.939 173.581 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
31 7 Corey LaJoie Celsius Chevrolet 31.945 173.548 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
32 51 Cody Ware Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford 32.064 172.904 Ford Mustang
33 21 Harrison Burton Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford 32.34 171.429 Ford Mustang
34 15 JJ Yeley(i) Barnett Southern Corporation Ford 32.559 170.275 Ford Mustang
35 54 Ty Gibbs # Monster Energy Toyota 34.582 160.315 Toyota TRD Camry
36 78 BJ McLeod B'laster Chevrolet 0 0 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver

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Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comment

  1. Naaaaaaaa, not a bad thing at all, wait till the flag flies and they get in a pack. Them chevies got more downforce they will work there way to the front. How did vegas go for them fords? Qualified good then dropped to the back.

    Reply

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