Blaney takes Phoenix pole; Larson qualifies 22nd

Ryan Blaney took the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, earning his 17th career pole with a lap of 137.143 mph. Team Penske teammate Joey Logano will start alongside him, giving the team the front row, while Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell qualified third through fifth. Playoff points leader Kyle Larson struggled in practice and qualifying and will start 22nd, a setback as he seeks to protect his 49-point lead with four races remaining. Blaney, fifth in the playoff standings and aiming for a third consecutive Phoenix win, said the strong starting position could help him collect stage points.