08/22/26 12:56:00
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08/22 12:54 CDT Tyler Reddick edges Josh Berry for NASCAR Cup pole position at
New Hampshire
Tyler Reddick edges Josh Berry for NASCAR Cup pole position at New Hampshire
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) --- Trying to snap a two-month slump in the NASCAR Cup
Series, Tyler Reddick rebounded from a poor practice session to qualify first
Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The 23XI Racing driver turned a 29.054-second lap (131.094 mph) in his No. 45
Toyota to capture the pole for Sunday's race on the 1.058-mile oval, beating
Josh Berry by 0.015 seconds. William Byron qualified third, followed by Denny
Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen.
Reddick was 31st fastest in the practice session before qualifying, but his
team made the right adjustments to improve his speed.
"Oh man, I was really unhappy," he said. "I can't recall a practice when I've
complained like that. But we just figured out what we need to work on. That is
a big deal because it's very easy after a practice like that to just have a
mediocre qualifying effort. The fashion that we did it today was really
awesome."
It's the fourth pole this season for Reddick but the first since April at
Kansas Speedway.
After winning five of the first nine races (including the Daytona 500 season
opener), Reddick built a 129-point lead in the standings. He plummeted to
fourth in the points with four finishes of 30th or worse over a six-race
stretch.
That prompted a 23XI Racing shop visit and pep talk last week from NBA great
Michael Jordan, who co-owns Reddick's car with Hamlin. Reddick responded with a
confidence-boosting 11th at Richmond Raceway, where he led seven laps despite
qualifying 32nd.
"We were able to turn that around and had good speed in the race," he said.
"Being able to put this qualifying lap together and go that fast, it's
promising. I think we can get this right."
Berry, who qualified a career-best second at New Hampshire, also is gaining
momentum as he hunts for a ride next season. He has reeled off three
consecutive top-10 finishes for Wood Brothers Racing, which will move Jesse
Love into its No. 21 Ford in 2027.
"We're fighting hard," Berry said. "I need to make the most of it and try to
figure out what's next. That's what we're working on. My phone, I'd love for it
to ring this afternoon."
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