The NASCARCup Series took the track on Saturday to qualify for the seventh race of the 2026 season: the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. The session was testy. Drivers needed to balance corner entry and exit while maintaining meticulous braking within the context of a new, higher-horsepower package introduced for select races in the 2026 season.
Denny Hamlin sped to the pole position while William Byron, a three-time Martinsville winner, joins him on the front row for the Cook Out 400. Ford appears to be the best manufacturer for this track once again. Five of the top 14 qualifiers were driving Fords. Historically, Fords do well at Martinsville.
|
Starting Position |
Driver |
|
1 |
Denny Hamlin |
|
2 |
William Byron |
|
3 |
Josh Berry |
|
4 |
Ty Gibbs |
|
5 |
Shane van Gisbergen |
|
6 |
Austin Cindric |
|
7 |
Carson Hocevar |
|
8 |
Tyler Reddick |
|
9 |
Joey Logano |
|
10 |
Chase Elliott |
|
11 |
Christopher Bell |
|
12 |
Ryan Blaney |
|
13 |
Kyle Larson |
|
14 |
Zane Smith |
|
15 |
Bubba Wallace |
|
16 |
Chris Buescher |
|
17 |
Ryan Preece |
|
18 |
Ross Chastain |
|
19 |
Erik Jones |
|
20 |
Michael McDowell |
|
21 |
Justin Allgaier |
|
22 |
Daniel Suarez |
|
23 |
Brad Keselowski |
|
24 |
Cole Custer |
|
25 |
Connor Zilisch |
|
26 |
Riley Herbst |
|
27 |
Chase Briscoe |
|
28 |
AJ Allmendinger |
|
29 |
Todd Gilliland |
|
30 |
Austin Dillon |
|
31 |
Noah Gragson |
|
32 |
John Hunter Nemechek |
|
33 |
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
|
34 |
Kyle Busch |
|
35 |
Cody Ware |
|
36 |
Ty Dillon |
|
37 |
Austin Hill |
Best Qualifiers
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images
(Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin earned the pole position for the first time this season as he seeks a sixth win this year as a driver or car owner.
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Josh Berry posted a bullet of a qualifying lap, earning the third spot on the grid for Sunday’s Cook Out 400. Team Penske/Wood Brothers Racing are historically great at the paperclip, so consider Berry to have a running chance.
Shane van Gisbergen surprised us with the fifth spot on the grid, his career-best start on an oval. His teammates, however, struggled. Ross Chastain will start 18th and Connor Zilisch will start 25th.
Worst Qualifiers
Chase Briscoe continues to fall flat as the worst-qualifying Joe Gibbs Racing car. On MRN, Briscoe highlighted how he was much better with SHR at Martinsville than with JGR. It will be extremely hard to win after starting 27th. Briscoe may need to gamble on an alternative pit strategy.
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Todd Gilliland was a top-five car in the practice sessions, but he struggled over the two-lap qualifying session. He will start 29th.
Kyle Busch is not meant to win in the NextGen car. He qualifies very poorly: 34th.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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