The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Richmond this weekend for the Cook Out 400. And if history is any indication, Sunday could be a very good day for Joe Gibbs Racing.
JGR has excelled at the Action Track in years past. Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. each have a victory on the .75-mile short track in the past three seasons, while Christopher Bell has four top-five finishes in his last six trips to the River City.
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There has been little to suggest JGR is showing signs of slowing down. Hamlin captured the checkered flag at Pocono last week, while Truex has netted three victories so far this season. That's not to mention Bell, who is in the top five in Cup Series points after 21 races.
Short tracks have long been essential to JGR's dominance since its Cup Series debut in 1992. With the way Hamlin, Truex and Bell are performing, there's little reason to believe there won't be another showcase this weekend.
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So, where will Hamlin, Truex and Bell start the race on Sunday? Here's what you need to know about the starting lineup and pole-sitter for the Cook Out 400.
Who won the pole for Richmond in 2023?
Tyler Reddick took the pole for Sunday's race as he posted the fastest lap time in qualifying. He outpaced Kyle Busch, who will join him in the front row. It's the fifth career pole and first of the season for Reddick.
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NASCAR at Richmond starting lineup 2023
Leading the field for Sunday's race are Tyler Reddick and Kyle Busch. Hamlin will be right behind Reddick after qualifying third on Saturday.
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23 XI Racing |
| 2 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 5 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23 XI Racing |
| 6 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 7 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 9 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 10 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 11 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 12 | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 13 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 14 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 15 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 16 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 17 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 18 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 19 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 20 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 21 | B.J. McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 22 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 23 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 24 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 25 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 26 | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 27 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 28 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 29 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 30 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 31 | Corey Lajoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 32 | Ryan Newman | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 33 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 34 | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 35 | J.J. Yeley | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 36 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
