NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta starting lineup: Joey Logano leads Penske 1-2-3 in Cup qualifying

Logano wins the pole as Fords sweep the top eight starting spots in Atlanta

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Joey Logano has won the pole for the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, putting down a lap of 31.256 seconds (177.374 MPH) to lead a Penske 1-2-3 sweep of the first three starting spots and a clean sweep of the first eight starting spots by Ford. Logano's pole is his second of the year and the 28th of his Cup career, and he also leads the first ever 1-2-3 qualifying sweep in Team Penske history.

Ford demonstrated that they were a step ahead of the rest of the field Saturday, as eight out of the 10 spots in the final round of qualifying were occupied by the blue oval brand. The Penske Fords -- Logano first, Austin Cindric second and Ryan Blaney third -- will be joined at the front of the field by Brad Keselowski, Aric Almirola, Kevin Harvick, Chris Buescher, and Chase Briscoe. Michael McDowell qualified 12th, giving Ford nine of the first 12 starting spots.

Atlanta proved somewhat treacherous in qualifying, as the high groove offered trouble in the first on-track activity of any kind this weekend after rain on Friday. B.J. McLeod began qualifying by spinning out in turn three, and Christopher Bell would do the same in the final round of qualifying. Ty Gibbs also had trouble in the marbles, stepping out and brushing the wall in turn four.

A big spin for Christopher Bell during Atlanta qualifying. https://t.co/4SdIN1v7Y9 pic.twitter.com/b2aNap9Tlr

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 18, 2023

Bell would end up being the first Toyota in 10th, just behind Kyle Larson who was the highest qualifying Chevrolet in ninth. William Byron, who has won the last two races and is the defending winner of Atlanta's spring race, will start 11th.

Ambetter Health 400 starting lineup

1. #22 - Joey Logano
2. #2 - Austin Cindric
3. #12 - Ryan Blaney
4. #6 - Brad Keselowski
5. #10 - Aric Almirola
6. #4 - Kevin Harvick
7. #17 - Chris Buescher
8. #14 - Chase Briscoe
9. #5 - Kyle Larson
10. #20 - Christopher Bell
11. #24 - William Byron
12. #34 - Michael McDowell
13. #3 - Austin Dillon
14. #11 - Denny Hamlin
15. #48 - Alex Bowman
16. #45 - Tyler Reddick
17. #8 - Kyle Busch
18. #1 - Ross Chastain
19. #23 - Bubba Wallace
20. #31 - Justin Haley
21. #9 - Josh Berry
22. #42 - Noah Gragson (R)
23. #38 - Todd Gilliland
24. #41 - Ryan Preece
25. #99 - Daniel Suarez
26. #77 - Ty Dillon
27. #47 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
28. #43 - Erik Jones
29. #19 - Martin Truex Jr.
30. #16 - A.J. Allmendinger
31. #7 - Corey LaJoie
32. #51 - Cody Ware
33. #21 - Harrison Burton
34. #15 - J.J. Yeley
35. #54 - Ty Gibbs (R)
36. #78 - B.J. McLeod