Solely two of the 4 drivers eligible to win the 2023 season title superior to the ultimate spherical of qualifying Saturday, however Byron got here away with prime general common pace at 132.597 mph to win the pole for Sunday’s season finale.
Whoever finishes highest amongst Byron, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney will the championship.
The pole is the fourth this season for Byron, however first within the playoffs. It’s additionally the twelfth of his profession.
“My workforce is actually going to love this,” mentioned Byron, 25, who will get the primary pit stall for Sunday’s race. “It’s going to be enjoyable. All my household and buddies are right here, all my buddies from highschool. It’s going to be enjoyable to hang around with them over tonight and simply take pleasure in.
“It is a nice alternative. I need to be right here yearly. It’s actually enjoyable to be part of and we have to make the most of it.”
Martin Truex Jr. ended up second quickest (132.509 mph) and Kevin Harvick – making his closing profession begin – will line up third (132.421 mph).
Larson ended up fourth and Bubba Wallace rounded out the highest 5.
Finishing the top-10 lineup are Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick.
Throughout his qualifying lap, Reddick hit the wall between Turns 3 and 4, doing a little harm to the right-rear of his No. 45 Toyota.
Bell and Blaney each did not advance to the ultimate spherical of qualifying and can begin Sunday’s race thirteenth and fifteenth, respectively.
Spherical 1 / Group A
Harvick posted the quickest common lap pace at 133.003 mph in Group A – which additionally turned out to be the quickest of the day.
Title contender Byron was second fast at 132.969 mph whereas Wallace was third (132.694 mph).
Additionally advancing to the ultimate spherical have been title contender Larson and Jones.
Amongst those that failed to maneuver on have been Ty Gibbs, Todd Gilliland, Joey Logano and Chase Elliott.
Brad Keselowski didn’t qualify his No. 6 Ford as he returned to North Carolina for the delivery of he and his spouse Paige’s third baby. Cole Custer certified the automobile within the thirty first place.
Spherical 1 / Group B
Chastain, who went out comparatively early, led the best way in Group B with a mean lap pace of 132.812 mph.
Hamlin was second quickest at 132.724 mph whereas Buescher was third at 132.699 mph.
Additionally advancing to the ultimate spherical of qualifying have been Reddick and Truex.
Amongst those that did not advance have been each title contenders within the second group – Bell, who was seventh, and Blaney, who was eighth.
Blaney had been the quickest among the many Championship 4 drivers in Friday’s lone observe session.
