News Summary
The NASCAR Cup Series is set for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway, with 40 drivers vying for the championship. The event promises high-stakes action over 400 miles on June 28th. Qualifying will take place on June 27th, determining starting positions as teams showcase their histories at the Atlanta track. Joey Logano has secured pole position, while challengers like Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman are looking to advance in the playoffs despite setbacks.
Atlanta, GA – The NASCAR Cup Series is gearing up for an exciting event, the Quaker State 400, slated for Saturday, June 28th at 7 p.m. ET. The prestigious race will take place at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, and it promises to deliver high-octane action as drivers compete over 260 laps, covering a total distance of 400 miles.
Fans can catch all the live action on TNT Sports, with additional streaming options available through TNT Sports and MAX. As anticipation mounts for the race, a total of 40 drivers have registered to participate, each vying for supremacy on the challenging track.
Qualifying for the Quaker State 400 will commence the day before the race, on Friday, June 27th, at 5:05 p.m. ET. This session will determine the starting order for the race, employing a metric that combines 70% of a driver’s previous race finish and 30% based on current owner points. The qualifying event will consist of one lap and feature two rounds, heightening the stakes as drivers look to secure prime starting positions.
The historical performance of teams at the Atlanta track reveals the competitive landscape ahead. Hendrick Motorsports boasts an impressive record at Atlanta, with 17 wins, 69 top-five finishes, and 106 top-ten placements over the years. Notably, drivers Chase Elliott and William Byron have together achieved three victories at the track in the current Next Gen era, indicating their strong performance and familiarity with the unique challenges posed by EchoPark Speedway.
As the race weekend approaches, Kyle Larson emerges as a key contender. Despite having varying results on the reconfigured 1.5-mile drafting track, Larson secured a commendable third-place finish in the spring race and has accumulated three top-fives and five top-tens throughout his career at Atlanta. Additionally, Alex Bowman is keen to strengthen his position in the playoffs, showcasing his own successful track record with three top-fives and four top-tens at the speedway.
In a notable development, qualifying results show that Joey Logano has secured the pole position for the Quaker State 400, achieving a lap time of 30.979 seconds. This time matched that of fellow contender Josh Berry, but Logano prevailed based on points standing. Dominating the front line for the upcoming race, Ford drivers have filled the top eight starting spots, including the entire lineup from Team Penske.
However, the road to the race may present challenges for some competitors. The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has faced penalties due to pre-race inspection issues, resulting in driver Kyle Larson forfeiting his car chief and pit selection for the weekend. While this setback may impact Larson’s strategy during the race, he currently sits second in the points standings, trailing only his teammate William Byron.
This year, the Cup and Xfinity Series will not have any practice sessions prior to the race, meaning that qualifying will be the first time drivers take laps at the reconfigured EchoPark Speedway. This setup is expected to add an element of unpredictability to the race, as drivers must quickly adapt to the track conditions during the qualifying round, setting the stage for a thrilling Quaker State 400.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 28th, as NASCAR fans get ready for what promises to be an exhilarating night of racing at EchoPark Speedway.
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Additional Resources
- NASCAR: Cup Series Qualifying Order for Atlanta Summer Race
- Wikipedia: NASCAR
- Hendrick Motorsports: NASCAR on TV This Week
- Google Search: NASCAR Cup Series 2025
- Tennessean: NASCAR Qualifying Results Atlanta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NASCAR
- ABC News: NASCAR’s Cup Series Debut Season Challenge
- Google News: NASCAR Qualifying Results
