The fifth driver out on observe throughout qualifying, Noah Gragson, posted a quick time that held the highest spot for many of the session. However with clouds rolling in, the Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 driver, Alex Bowman, capitalized on the cooling asphalt and took the pole place away from Gragson for the Straight Discuss Wi-fi 400.
Hoping to turn into the most recent in a stretch of so-called “B-list” winners, Bowman has made all the precise strikes to date. Nonetheless, the Miami pole-sitter says his staff nonetheless has work to do earlier than they’re able to struggle for a race win.
Alex Bowman Not Solely Assured of Taking House Checkered Flag in Miami
Bowman, the third-to-last driver to publish a lap throughout qualifying, dashed Gragson’s hopes of incomes his first profession pole with a lap of 31.982 seconds (168.845 miles per hour). Whereas Bowman’s one-lap pace topped the sphere, the No. 48 driver isn’t totally assured that tempo will carry over as soon as the inexperienced flag drops.
Talking after the session, Bowman talked about what it’ll take to complete the job on Sunday. Beginning out entrance offers him an edge, however he mentioned the staff nonetheless wants to enhance on long-run efficiency.
“I really feel like we’re, we’ve obtained some work to do for tomorrow on the long term for certain, however, yeah, not less than we’re beginning out entrance, we’ll have a great pit stall, and (we have now) put our greatest foot ahead to date,” Bowman mentioned through “Sports activities on Prime” on X.
An emotional pole win for @Alex_Bowman 💪 pic.twitter.com/DLU3wyAAyL
— Sports activities on Prime (@SportsonPrime) March 22, 2025
Wanting again on the season to date, Bowman spoke about how his staff has needed to overcome “lots” this 12 months. He mentioned folks don’t notice what number of issues have gone mistaken for them in races. With that in thoughts, Bowman hopes every thing lastly goes their method in Miami to allow them to execute from begin to end.
In the meantime, Josh Berry within the No. 21 Ford will line up subsequent to Bowman on the entrance row, marking Wooden Brothers Racing’s greatest begin since successful the pole at Dover in 2020. Berry has been the standout for WBR this season, after scoring a Cup Sequence win in Vegas final 12 months.
If Berry wins in Miami, it might mark Wooden Brothers Racing’s first multi-win season since 1981.
Gragson, who held the highest spot for a lot of the session, will begin third, with Chase Briscoe lining up behind him. William Byron, Ryan Blaney, John Hunter Nemechek, Austin Cindric, Bubba Wallace, and AJ Allmendinger spherical out the highest 10.
