Starting Lineup NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin secured the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. And while there is a long way to go between Saturday's qualifying session and the checkered flag being shown in Sunday's race, Hamlin will begin his quest for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship with the best track position possible.

While Hamlin took the pole position with a lap time of 26.914 seconds (133.759 mph), he doesn't carry a massive advantage over his fellow Championship 4 contenders as William Byron snatched the second starting spot in the 38-car field, and Kyle Larson, his teammate and fellow championship contender, was third-fastest.

Chase Briscoe, the final Championship 4 contender, was only 12th-fastest after suffering a plethora of tire issues in Friday's practice session.

Official Starting Lineup NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway (Race 36 of 36):

(P) indicates NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Driver
* indicates "Open" entry
# indicates Rookie of the Year contender
(i) indicates a driver ineligible to score points