Ryan Blaney claimed his first pole of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season for Sunday’s (April 12) Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
It’s his 13th career Cup pole and his second at Bristol. Blaney currently sits second in the driver standings with one win on the season, which he got back at Phoenix Raceway last month.
Points leader Tyler Reddick will share the front row with Blaney as he is seeking his fifth win in the first eight races of the season.
Chase Briscoe was third, while Riley Herbst scored a career-best qualifying effort in fourth. Ty Gibbs qualified fifth to put four Toyotas in the top five. Ross Chastain was the highest Chevrolet in sixth, while Chris Buescher, defending race winner Kyle Larson, Austin Cindric, and Carson Hocevar rounded out the top 10.
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Results at Bristol
The Food City 500, the eighth Cup race of the 2026 season, takes place at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 12, with coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
Michael Bellifemini joined Frontstretch in February 2026 as a contributor. Bellifemini was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Seton Hall University. He called Seton Hall men's and women's basketball games for their college radio station, 89.5 FM WSOU, and continues to broadcast in the area. Outside of covering NASCAR, Bellifemini is also an avid baseball, football, basketball, and hockey fan and enjoys watching different sports leagues on a daily basis.