NASCAR lineup at Phoenix: Starting order, pole for 2026 Straight Talk Wireless 500 based on qualifying results originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Months after finishing winless in 2025, Tyler Reddick has emerged as the most dominant force atop asphalt in 2026.
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The 23XI Racing star has swept across victory lane in three straight races, becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win their opening three events. Each victory has been more impressive than the last; on Sunday, Reddick surged to the front, fending off road course star Shane van Gisbergen to take home the gold at COTA.
Will the good times continue in Week 4 of the Cup Series season? Since 1972, only eight drivers have ever won four straight races at any point in a single campaign. Furthermore, Reddick has historically struggled at Phoenix Raceway, toiling across the dogleg.
Across 12 races at the one-mile track, Reddick has yet to capture the checkered flag. He has only two top-five finishes there, posting an average finish of 17.8—the tied-third worst mark among his oval tracks.
To win a Cup Series crown, drivers must find success in the Valley of the Sun. What better time to reverse the trend than now for Reddick, who will look to bring his glistening No. 45 chariot to paradise once more.
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With that, here’s a look at the pole-sitter and starting grid for the 2026 Straight Talk Wireless 400 in Phoenix.
MORE: Why Alex Bowman will miss NASCAR race at Phoenix Raceway
Who won the Straight Talk Wireless 500 pole for 2026?
Qualifying for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 took place on Saturday, with Penske Ford’s Joey Logano earning his first pole position for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with a 26.561-second qualifying time (135.537 mph).
This will be Logano’s 34th career NASCAR Cup Series pole start and third career Busch Light Pole Award at the Avondale, Ariz. track.
Complementing Logano in the front row will be defending series titleholder Kyle Larson. Larson clocked a 26.678-second qualifying time (134.943 mph).
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Austin Cindric (26.731 seconds, 134.675 mph), Daniel Suárez (26.744 seconds, 134.610 mph) and Ryan Blaney (26.747 seconds, 134.595 mph) will close out Sunday’s top five in Avondale.
Ford’s Brad Keselowski fell victim to car damage during practice and will start in a backup car in position no. 37.
Straight Talk Wireless 500 starting lineup 2026
|
Starting pos. |
Driver |
Car No. |
Team |
|
1. |
Joey Logano |
22 |
Ford |
|
2. |
Kyle Larson |
5 |
Chevrolet |
|
3. |
Austin Cindric |
2 |
Ford |
|
4. |
Daniel Suarez |
7 |
Chevrolet |
|
5. |
Ryan Blaney |
12 |
Ford |
|
6. |
Ross Chastain |
1 |
Chevrolet |
|
7. |
Carson Hocevar |
77 |
Chevrolet |
|
8. |
Tyler Reddick |
45 |
Chevrolet |
|
9. |
William Byron |
24 |
Chevrolet |
|
10. |
Josh Berry |
21 |
Ford |
|
11. |
Denny Hamlin |
11 |
Toyota |
|
12. |
Christopher Bell |
20 |
Toyota |
|
13. |
Ryan Preece |
60 |
Ford |
|
14. |
Ty Gibbs |
54 |
Toyota |
|
15. |
John Hunter Nemechek |
42 |
Toyota |
|
16. |
Michael McDowell |
71 |
Chevrolet |
|
17. |
Chris Buescher |
17 |
Ford |
|
18. |
Shane van Gisbergen |
97 |
Chevrolet |
|
19. |
Connor Zilisch |
88 |
Chevrolet |
|
20. |
Chase Briscoe |
19 |
Toyota |
|
21. |
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
47 |
Chevrolet |
|
22. |
Riley Herbst |
35 |
Toyota |
|
23. |
AJ Allmendinger |
16 |
Chevrolet |
|
24. |
Zane Smith |
38 |
Ford |
|
25. |
Austin Dillon |
3 |
Chevrolet |
|
26. |
Chase Elliott |
9 |
Chevrolet |
|
27. |
Austin Hill |
33 |
Chevrolet |
|
28. |
Bubba Wallace |
23 |
Toyota |
|
29. |
Kyle Busch |
8 |
Chevrolet |
|
30. |
Todd Gilliland |
34 |
Ford |
|
31. |
Anthony Alfredo |
48 |
Chevrolet |
|
32. |
Erik Jones |
43 |
Toyota |
|
33. |
Ty Dillon |
10 |
Chevrolet |
|
34. |
Cody Ware |
51 |
Chevrolet |
|
35. |
Noah Gragson |
4 |
Ford |
|
36. |
Cole Kuster |
41 |
Chevrolet |
|
37. |
Brad Keselowski (DNP) |
6 |
Ford |
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