Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Parker Retzlaff wins first career pole award ahead of ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 3/30/24

A huge morning for Parker Retzlaff and Justin Anderson Racing. Retzlaff just scored his first career pole and first pole ever for his organization. This Jordan Anderson group is coming on strong this NASCAR season and this is the next step.

Parker Retzlaff is already having a great start to the year. He scored two top-5 finishes in the first two races of the year. Two DNFs at Las Vegas and Phoenix derailed that, but he bounced back at COTA. Now, Retzlaff has his first career pole at the age of 20. It is just his 48th start in the Xfinity Series.

While he isn’t talked about as much as other drivers his age, Retzlaff is a legit prospect in NASCAR. He just proved it by scoring his first pole award in less than 50 career starts.

Parker Retzlaff was able to beat out Brandon Jones, Cole Custer, Chandler Smith, and Justin Allgaier in the top-5. Jordan Anderson Racing beating out JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Stewart-Haas Racing.

Corey Heim, AJ Allmendinger, Jesse Love, Parker Kligerman, and Aric Almirola make up the rest of the top-10 in qualifying. Other interesting notes: Shane van Gisbergen starts P12, Bubba Pollard was fastest in practice but will start P37, and Ryan Vargas will start P30.

Retzlaff was the only driver to have an average speed over 120 MPH.

Big moment for Parker Retzlaff at Richmond

It makes a lot of sense for Parker Retzlaff to earn his first pole award at Richmond. He has had some strong runs at this track in the past. In fact, Richmond is where Retzlaff earned his first top-10 finish of his Xfinity Series career in 2022 with RSS Racing.

Last season Retzlaff was P16 at Richmond. He’s a skinny kid who wears big eyeglasses. But he can wheel a damn car. He is strong on superspeedways, he has a knack for some of these short tracks as well. The Wisconsin native has progressed really well in the last two years.

This is the best starting position for Jordan Anderson Racing ever in the Xfinity Series. It is Retzlaff’s first pole award in his career. If the 31 car finds itself in the top-2 by the time the checkered flag waves, it will be a career-best finish for Retzlaff. Of course, Jordan Anderson Racing won at Talladega last year with Jeb Burton.

Today’s race will be a big moment for Parker Retzlaff. This is the best shot he’s had at winning ever, and now he has to be consistent, even-keeled, and run the best race he can. If he puts forth his best effort, anything can happen, even a win.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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