The grid for the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway is set. 43 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers attempted the first round of single-car qualifying, running slowest to fastest with the order set by combined practice speeds. The top 12 would then advance into round two.
The Joe Gibbs racing threesome led the first round with the No. 18 of Matt Tifft in the top spot. The UNCC sophomore posted a lap speed of 180.652 mph in the NOS Energy Drink Toyota. The No. 19 ARRIS Toyota driven by Xfinity Series points leader Daniel Suarez was second with a 180.424 mph. The No. 20 Game Stop Toyota with Erik Jones at the wheel rounded out the top three with a 179.817 mph.
In round two, Tifft was on point again. His lap time of 52.857 seconds, with a speed of 181.168 mph was good enough to capture the Coors Light 21 Means 21 Pole. While JGR has now recorded eight consecutive top-spot starts, this Tifft’s only career pole to date. Suarez posted his ninth top-10 start of 2016 and will join his teammate on the front row, recording a lap of 52.951 seconds, 180.846 mph. Austin Dillon earned his fourth top-10 start on the 2.66-mile Alabama speedway. The Richard Childress Racing driver posted a lap of 53.051, 180.506 mph in the No. 3 Rheem Chevrolet.
Qualifying Results
Round 1
- Matt Tifft
- Daniel Suarez
- Erik Jones
Round 2/Starting Grid
- Matt Tifft
- Daniel Suarez
- Austin Dillon
- Erik Jones
- Ty Dillon
- Brendan Gaughan
- Ryan Reed
- Joey Logano
- Elliott Sadler
- JJ Yeley
Stay tuned – Times CDT (track time)
TV: FOX @ 2:00 PM
Radio: MRN/SiruisXM 90 @ 2:00 PM
There will be a competition caution at Lap 20.
Coming off the ranch, I didn’t have a motorsports background but my passion was and still is very strong. My first taste of NASCAR came at the age of seven while waiting for music videos to come on the old TNN network. As I grew up, I pursued other interest but eventually rediscovered cars going left when I found the SPEED channel during the 2011-2012 offseason.
I didn’t decide I wanted to pursue a career in NASCAR until the summer of 2012. I’m not a wrench head or strong enough for a pit crew so media was the next best thing. At the beginning of 2013, I started going to races and making connections within the sport. I also studied Motorsports Management at Sports Management Worldwide. Although I love what happens on the track, I’ve always been interested in what goes on behind the scenes and I’ve gotten to know many people throughout the radio, TV and digital media world.
While I’m a long time writer, 2015 was my first year actually covering the sport with www.nascarfemale.com . I also became a media correspondent for Raceline. I’ve been able to help the TV show gain recognition on social media. My current goal is to acquire more experience in covering NASCAR and move up the media ladder. Outside of motorsports, I have been an equine-sports statistician for 16 years.
I currently reside in Gillette, WY where I’m still involved with horses. I enjoy riding them, rodeo, swimming, traveling and meeting people.
Email Me
I didn’t decide I wanted to pursue a career in NASCAR until the summer of 2012. I’m not a wrench head or strong enough for a pit crew so media was the next best thing. At the beginning of 2013, I started going to races and making connections within the sport. I also studied Motorsports Management at Sports Management Worldwide. Although I love what happens on the track, I’ve always been interested in what goes on behind the scenes and I’ve gotten to know many people throughout the radio, TV and digital media world.
While I’m a long time writer, 2015 was my first year actually covering the sport with www.nascarfemale.com . I also became a media correspondent for Raceline. I’ve been able to help the TV show gain recognition on social media. My current goal is to acquire more experience in covering NASCAR and move up the media ladder. Outside of motorsports, I have been an equine-sports statistician for 16 years.
I currently reside in Gillette, WY where I’m still involved with horses. I enjoy riding them, rodeo, swimming, traveling and meeting people.
Email Me
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