Three-time Australian Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) had posted the fastest average speed as all 10 cars took to the track in the last minute of Saturday’s final round of qualifying.
NASCAR debutant van Gisbergen actually improved on his speed, but so did the Toyotas of Reddick and his 23XI co-owner Hamlin. The three-time Daytona 500 winner's wicked fast lap of 1m28.435s – the fastest registered of the day so far – gave him the top starting position in Sunday’s race.
The pole is Hamlin’s third of the 2023 season and second consecutive on a road/street course after he paced qualifying at Sonoma. It’s also the 39th of his career.
Sunday’s race on the 2.2-mile, 12-turn course through the Grant Park area of downtown Chicago will be the first on a street course in the 75-year history of the Cup series.
“It’s such a testament to these guys,” Hamlin said of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team. “They did such a great job preparing me for these things. I also have to give a lot of credit to 23XI (Racing) for helping me to get better.
“It’s a lot of fun when you can have days like today. Our car is super-strong.”
Hamlin called the course “very, very good and raceable”.
Source: Autosport