Tyler Reddick edges Josh Berry for NASCAR Cup pole position at New Hampshire

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Trying to snap a two-month slump in the NASCAR Cup Series, Tyler Reddick rebounded from a poor practice session to qualify first Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The 23XI Racing driver turned a 29.054-second lap (131.094 mph) in his No. 45 Toyota to capture the pole for Sunday’s race on the 1.058-mile oval, beating Josh Berry by 0.015 seconds. William Byron qualified third, followed by Denny Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen.

Reddick was 31st fastest in the practice session before qualifying, but his team made the right adjustments to improve his speed.

“Oh man, I was really unhappy,” he said. “I can’t recall a practice when I’ve complained like that. But we just figured out what we need to work on. That is a big deal because it’s very easy after a practice like that to just have a mediocre qualifying effort. The fashion that we did it today was really awesome.”

It’s the fourth pole this season for Reddick but the first since April at Kansas Speedway.

After winning five of the first nine races (including the Daytona 500 season opener), Reddick built a 129-point lead in the standings. He plummeted to fourth in the points with four finishes of 30th or worse over a six-race stretch.

That prompted a 23XI Racing shop visit and pep talk last week from NBA great Michael Jordan, who co-owns Reddick’s car with Hamlin. Reddick responded with a confidence-boosting 11th at Richmond Raceway, where he led seven laps despite qualifying 32nd.

“We were able to turn that around and had good speed in the race,” he said. “Being able to put this qualifying lap together and go that fast, it’s promising. I think we can get this right.”

Berry, who qualified a career-best second at New Hampshire, also is gaining momentum as he hunts for a ride next season. He has reeled off three consecutive top-10 finishes for Wood Brothers Racing, which will move Jesse Love into its No. 21 Ford in 2027.

“We’re fighting hard,” Berry said. “I need to make the most of it and try to figure out what’s next. That’s what we’re working on. My phone, I’d love for it to ring this afternoon.”

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