Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images

NASCAR Starting Lineup: Qualifying Results for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Carelli | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 2:36 PM ET

The NASCAR Cup Series took the track on Saturday to qualify for the 7th race of the 2026 season — the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. The session was testy, with the need to balance entry and exit to the corner while maintaining meticulous braking, and with a new, higher-horsepower package introduced for select races in the 2026 season.

Denny Hamlin sped to the pole position, thus starting in first tomorrow afternoon. 3-time Martinsville winner, William Byron, joins him on the front row for the Cook Out 400. The Fords appear to be the best manufacturer overall, finishing with 5 cars in the top 14. Historically, Fords do well at Martinsville.


Starting Position	Driver
1	Denny Hamlin
2	William Byron
3	Josh Berry
4	Ty Gibbs
5	Shane van Gisbergen
6	Austin Cindric
7	Carson Hocevar
8	Tyler Reddick
9	Joey Logano
10	Chase Elliott
11	Christopher Bell
12	Ryan Blaney
13	Kyle Larson
14	Zane Smith
15	Bubba Wallace
16	Chris Buescher
17	Ryan Preece
18	Ross Chastain
19	Erik Jones
20	Michael McDowell
21	Justin Allgaier
22	Daniel Suarez
23	Brad Keselowski
24	Cole Custer
25	Connor Zilisch
26	Riley Herbst
27	Chase Briscoe
28	AJ Allmendinger
29	Todd Gilliland
30	Austin Dillon
31	Noah Gragson
32	John Hunter Nemechek
33	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
34	Kyle Busch
35	Cody Ware
36	Ty Dillon
37	Austin Hill

Best Qualifiers

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Bob's Discount Furniture Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images

Denny Hamlin won pole position for the first time this season as he will gun for a combined 6th win this year as a driver/owner, doing the same for Toyota as the best running OEM.

He's ready to chase is seventh grandfather clock tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/zcMXQBLtmQ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 28, 2026

Josh Berry put out a bullet of a qualifying lap, earning himself a 3rd-place start for Sunday's Cook Out 400. Team Penske/Wood Brothers Racing are historically great at the paperclip, so consider Berry to definitely have a running chance.

Shane van Gisbergen surprised us with a 5th-place starting position, his best ever start on an oval. His teammates, however, struggled, finishing 18th with Ross Chastain and 25th with Connor Zilisch.

Worst Qualifiers

Chase Briscoe continues to fall flat as the worst-qualifying Joe Gibbs Racing car. On MRN, Briscoe highlighted how he was much better with SHR at Martinsville than with JGR. It will be extremely hard to win from 27th place. Briscoe may require an alternative gamble in the pit strategy.

Todd Gilliland had been a top-5 car in the practice sessions, but he struggled over the two-lap qualifying session to start the Cook Out 400 from 29th place.

Kyle Busch is not meant to win in the NextGen car. He qualifies very poorly in 34th place.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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