Keselowski Captures Pole in NASCAR All-Star Race Qualifying

Brad Keselowski became the talk of North Wilkesboro Speedway after taking the pole position for the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 16, 2025. Driving the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing, Keselowski turned in an impressive qualifying effort with a four-tire pit stop that set the standard for the event.

His lap took just 87.363 seconds at an average speed of 77.264 mph. This result gives Keselowski the first spot in both Saturday night’s Heat Race and Sunday’s All-Star Race.

Christopher Bell, driving the No. 20 car, followed closely behind Keselowski. Bell’s lap clocked in at 88.253 seconds and his average speed registered 76.485 mph.

Third place in qualifying went to Alex Bowman, who drove his No. 48 car to a lap of 88.361 seconds and 76.391 mph. Other top qualifiers included Chase Briscoe and William Byron, making up the front half of the lineup for the heats.

Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott also secured spots in the top 10. Logano, behind the wheel of the No. 22, recorded a time of 89.257 seconds, while Dillon finished his run in 89.619 seconds.

Hamlin, Reddick, and Elliott posted times under 91 seconds as well, ensuring tight competition for the starting positions. The rest of the field included Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, Josh Berry, Harrison Burton, Justin Allgaier, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Daniel Suarez.

Heat Races on Saturday night will finalize the lineup for Sunday’s showcase, with two heats splitting the field by qualifying rank. Odd-numbered qualifying positions, led by Keselowski, will make up the first heat, while Bell and drivers with even-numbered results will battle in the second.

The Heat Race results will set the main event grid, except for the pole position, which Keselowski holds regardless of his finish.

Shane van Gisbergen took the top starting spot for the All-Star Open, an 18-car shootout that offers drivers one last chance to race their way into the All-Star Race. He lines up ahead of Carson Hocevar, Noah Gragson, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Preece.

The top two Open finishers earn main event berths, with another driver voted in by fans. For more details on NASCAR’s All-Star format, visit NASCAR’s official rules page.

Keselowski’s quick time provides a lift to his season, which has seen him outside the top 30 in points so far. He said that qualifying performances like this build real, visible momentum for his RFK Racing team, fueling stronger teamwork and higher morale.

For Keselowski, Friday’s run meant more than just a fast lap; it delivered the kind of boost his group needed at a crucial stretch of the season.

Fast pit work also made headlines. Michael McDowell’s crew set the fastest pit stop during qualifying, changing four tires in just 12.587 seconds. To learn more about the science behind pit stop efficiency, check out this SAE International study.

Their quick hands earned a $100,000 bonus, edging out Daniel Suarez’s crew by just 0.013 seconds. Every small advantage counts as teams look for any edge heading into the All-Star weekend.

With the stage set by fast laps and intense pit lane action, fans can expect a dramatic battle under the lights. The NASCAR All-Star Race promises high-speed action and unexpected twists, with drivers ready to fight for glory at North Wilkesboro.

Additionally, teamwork and quick responses like those displayed on pit stops mirror the precision seen in NHRA Funny Car crews, such as Chris King’s crew, emphasizing how milliseconds can make all the difference in motorsport success. For further reading on motorsport dynamics, explore FIA’s technical regulations.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.