Christopher Bell fends off Hendrick Motorsports for Martinsville Cup pole

Christopher Bell earned his 14th career pole and his first of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, lapping the historic short track in 19.754s. Bell will be joined on the front row by Chase Elliott, who missed out on pole by 0.017s.

Bell, who already has three wins this year, is also a former winner at Martinsville, taking victory there late in the 2022 season.

A big advantage

“I was kind of down in the dumps after practice,” said Bell, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, after securing pole. “But that was definitely the best qualifying session I’ve ever felt out of my car here at Martinsville. It was just easy. I’ve been really good at qualifying in the 20s, (but) I went out there and the car had so much grip. It just cut a really good lap. Really proud of everyone on this #20 team. They’ve been working hard to improve our Martinsville package. We’ll see what happens tomorrow but regardless, starting up front is going to be a huge help.”

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images

Part of that advantage is the number one pit stall granted to the pole-sitter (should they choose it), which is extra important at Martinsville due to how close it is to the pit exit line.

“I’m excited about it,” said Bell, referring to the pit stall selection. “It’s funny. I was sitting in the car looking at that number one pit stall and I said: ‘Man, that would be nice.’ The yellow line is right there. I’m super excited about the opportunity ahead of us.”

Hendrick near the front

Hendrick Motorsports scored a 1-2-3 finish at Martinsville one year ago and ended Saturday’s qualifying sessions 2-3-4 on the grid. Along with Elliott on the front row, Alex Bowman timed in third and Homestead winner Kyle Larson was fourth. Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, who has more wins than any other active driver at Martinsville (five race wins), claimed the fifth spot in the starting lineup.

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images

Chris Buescher qualified sixth, Joey Logano seventh, Bubba Wallace eighth, Tyler Reddick ninth, and William Byron tenth. Byron is the defending winner of this race where he won from 18th on the grid. The Martinsville race winner has actually come from outside the top ten in each of the last five Cup races, which is surprising considering the importance of track position at the tight half-mile. The Martinsville pole-sitter has not gone on to win the race since Jimmie Johnson in 2013.

There were no incidents during the qualifying session, however, there was a surprise near the back of the grid. Ryan Blaney, who is the most recent winner at Martinsville, only managed to get up to 32nd on the time sheets. He did show impressive long-run pace in practice, but this is his worst starting position ever at the Virginia short track.

Photos from Martinsville – Practice & Qualifying