Shriners Children’s 500: Outstanding Cup Series Qualifying and Starting Lineup

Sarah Talker
William Byron

No. 24 William Byron will lead the field of 37 on Sunday for the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix. During Saturday’s qualifying session, Byron took the Busch Light Pole against Joey Logano (P2) in just over 0.098 seconds. Following Logano is No. 77 Spire Motorsports Carson Hocevar (P3), No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Josh Berry (P4) and No. 43 Legacy Motorclub Erik Jones (P5).

Sunday’s race is marked as the first non-drafting oval race of the season. These races are typically considered more difficult because drivers are unable to draft. Drafting in NASCAR allows drivers to maintain an evenly keeled speed and stay in position. Therefore, Byron’s qualifying run was impressive. British Motorsports standout No. 78 Katherine Legge didn’t find herself as lucky. The driver who made her debut with Live Fast Motorsports, will start in P37 for Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500. 

Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway

Phoenix International Raceway, Shriners Children's 500
Photo by Paul Dubbelman | Courtesy of Wikimedia

Shriners Children’s 500:  Qualifying and Starting Lineup
Position Qual. Time Row No. Driver Team
1 26.930  1 24 William Byron Hendrick Motorsports
2 27.028 1 22 Joey Logano Team Penske 
3 27.043 2 77 Carson Hocevar  Spire Motorsports
4 27.088 2 21 Josh Berry Wood Brothers Racing 
5 27.091 3 43  Erik Jones LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
6 27.099 3 09 Chase Elliot  Hendrick Motorsports
7 27.099 4 71 Michael McDowell  Spire Motorsports 
8 27.111 4 07 Justin Haley Spire Motorsports 
9 27.113 5 45 Tyler Reddick 23XL Racing 
10 27.150 5 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing
11 27.153 6 20 Christopher Bell Joe Gibbs Racing 
12 27.157 6 12 Ryan Blaney Team Penske 
13 27.168 7 17 Chris Buescher RFK Racing 
14 27.170 7 02 Austin Cindric Team Penske
15 27.189 8 08 Kyle Busch  Richard Childress Racing
16 27.221 8 16 AJ Allmendinger Kauling Racing
17 27.222 9 05 Kyle Larson Hendrick Motorsports
18 27.226 9 35 Riley Herbst 23XL Racing
19 27.258 10 23 Bubba Wallace 23XL Racing
20 27.284 10 06 Brad Keselowski RFK Racing
21 27.322 11 03 Austin Dillon  Richard Childress Racing
22 27.334 11 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. HYAK Motorsports
23 27.340 12 41 Cole Custer  Haas Factory Team
24 27.350 12 1 Ross Chastain Trackhouse Racing
25 27.364 13 10 Ty Dillon Kauling Racing
26 27.372 13 38 Zane Smith  Front Row Motorsports
27 27.458 14 34 Todd Gilliland Front Row Motorsports
28 27.464 14 60 Ryan Preece RFK Racing
29 27.480 15 88 Shane van Gisbergen Trackhouse Racing
30 27.520 15 19 Chase Briscoe Joe Gibbs Racing
31 27.555 16 99 Daniel Suarez Trackhouse Racing
32 27.647 16 48 Alex Bowman Hendrick Motorsports
33 27.660 17 04 Noah Gragson Front Row Motorsports
34 27.681 17 54 Ty Gibbs  Joe Gibbs Racing
35 27.826 18 51 Cody Ware Rick Ware Racing
36 27.842 18 42 John Hunter Nemechek LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
37 28.060 19 78 Katherine Legge Live Fast Motorsports

Sarah is a motorsports journalist covering NASCAR, IMSA, Formula 1, and IndyCar, blending sharp analysis with accessible storytelling shaped by live reporting at the Daytona 500 and Würth 400. She brings an analytical foundation through a B.S. in Political Science and a Master’s in Project Management and Information Technology, and is an active member of the National Society of Leadership and Success through the CTU Chapter, reflecting her commitment to growth and leadership in the industry.