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 17^th.

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

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

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