Mobil 1 301 NASCAR Race: Qualifying Order & Odds

Joey Logano locked up the pole position for the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, setting up what could be a crucial Sunday for Team Penske. It’s his first career pole at the track, and only his second of the season. Right next to him on the front row: his Penske teammate, 2023 champ Ryan Blaney–solidifying Ford’s strength this weekend.

Josh Berry will start third for the Mobil 1 301, completing a Ford sweep of the top three starting spots. On Row 2, Tyler Reddick in the 23XI Racing Toyota joins Berry, giving some manufacturer balance to the front of the field.

Strong Performances & Playoff Implications

William Byron, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet, posted the fifth-fastest qualifying time, placing just behind that Ford-heavy front. Cars like Carson Hocevar (6th), Alex Bowman (7th), and Ross Chastain (8th) also cracked into the top 10, showing depth across manufacturers.

This weekend’s race marks the first event in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, making every starting spot more than just bragging rights. Logano’s pole gives him a golden opportunity to lead early, control clean air, and avoid the chaos that often develops in mid-pack traffic. A front-row start could be a strong asset down the stretch.

On the flip side, some playoff contenders will need to dig out of tougher spots. Several are starting outside the top 10, increasing the risk of early setbacks–pit strategy, restarts, even clean-air exposure will matter more than ever.

Here’s a look at the official starting lineup for the race:

1. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
2. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
3. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
4. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
5. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
6. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
8. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
9. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
10. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
11. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
12. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
13. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
14. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
15. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
16. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
17. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
18. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
19. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
20. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
21. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
22. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
23. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
24. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
25. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
26. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
27. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
28. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
29. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
30. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
31. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
32. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
33. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
35. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
36. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford

Manufacturer Matchups & Track Dynamics

Ford appears particularly dialed in at Loudon this weekend. Not only did they claim the pole and top spots, but their cars looked fast and clean during qualifying, suggesting strong setups. For Ford teams, Loudon has proven historically to favor those who can manage handling and speed without over-stepping into tire wear or handling issues entering the corners.

Toyota and Chevrolet won’t be far behind in terms of threat level. Reddick (Toyota) in the top 4 means they have a shot to disrupt Ford’s starting advantage. Byron and Chastain’s strong qualifying runs show that Chevy still has speed for Sunday.

What to Watch on Race Day

Track position will be critical. At Loudon, leading early often buys you leverage–fewer cars in traffic, cleaner air for the engine, fewer chances to get caught up in someone else’s mistake. Logano and Blaney will be aiming to control the start.

Pit stops and strategy will matter even more. With no multiple qualifying rounds to reshuffle starting order, what you do in race conditions (especially early stages) could make or break your finish. Save tires, manage the draft, pick the right moment to go aggressive. The playoff implications raise the stakes: this isn’t just about points; it’s about survival.

Here’s how to watch, per The Tennessean:

• Green Flag Time:  Approx. 1:05 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 21
• Track:  New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile oval) in Loudon, New Hampshire
• Length: 301 laps, 266 miles
• Stages: 70 laps, 115 laps, 116 laps
• TV coverage: USA Network
• Radio: PRN
• Streaming: Watch FREE on Fubo; HBO MAX app for in-car cameras (subscription required); NASCAR.com and SiriusXM on Channel 90 for audio (subscription required)

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