HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Chandler Smith, who holds the final transfer spot to Championship 4, will start on the pole for Saturday’s playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
It is Smith’s third pole of the season and the eleventh race in a row in which he starts in the top 10.
MORE: Xfinity starting lineup
The 22-year-old Smith led a 1-2-3 effort from Joe Gibbs Racing in Friday’s qualifying with a lap of 163.305 mph. Sheldon Creed (262.822 mph) qualified second. Aric Almirola (162.749) starts third.
Playoff drivers Cole Custer (fourth) and Justin Allgaier (fifth) round out the top five.
Starting positions for the remaining remaining playoff drivers are: Sam Mayer (ninth), Sammy Smith (10th), Jesse Love (14th) and Austin Hill (16th). AJ Allmendinger, who advanced to Championship 4 after winning last weekend in Las Vegas, qualified sixth.
William Sawalich, making his Xfinity Series debut, will start 12th for Joe Gibbs Racing.
How to watch Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Rookie Jesse Love enters Saturday’s race below the cut line.
