Creed Masters Xfinity Qualifying At The Tricky Triangle

Sheldon Creed celebrates his NASCAR Xfinity Series pole at Pocono Raceway. (Ben Earp/NKP for Toyota Racing photo)

LONG POND, Pa. – Sheldon Creed notched his first pole in more than a year Saturday morning during NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying at Pocono Raceway.

Driving the No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing, Creed rocketed around the 2.5-mile ‘Tricky Triangle’ in 53.810 seconds (167.255 mph) to grab the top starting spot for the Explore the Pocono Mountains 225.

It marked Creed’s second career Xfinity Series pole and first on an oval. His previous pole came at Portland (Ore.) Int’l Raceway last June.

“It’s tough being in the hot seat like that and just watching [strong] cars go after you,” said Creed, who was in the middle of the qualifying order. “I didn’t know how my lap fell. I knew it was good, but I just didn't know where I would stack up [overall]. I’m really proud and thankful for everyone at JGR and Toyota, Friends of Jaclyn, and everyone helping us this year.

“This is a great way to turn around a couple of bad weeks, by getting a pole here,” he added. “Hopefully, now, we can go and have a solid race today.”

Creed, who was the only driver in the 53-second and 167 mph brackets, is chasing his maiden Xfinity Series win after a record-tying 10 career runner-up finishes in 88 starts.

“It’d be a great day for it,” tipped Creed, who wants to lock himself into the playoff field. “This is a great start. We’re going to do everything we can to execute and just see where the day takes us.”

JR Motorsports veteran Brandon Jones will join Creed on the front row after a lap of 54.108 seconds (166.334 mph) in the No. 9 Menards/Cheez-It Chevrolet Camaro.

His teammate, Justin Allgaier, will start third alongside Creed’s JGR stablemate Taylor Gray, who is a regular in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Chandler Smith closed the top five in a third JGR Toyota, followed by Cup Series star William Byron, Ryan Sieg, defending series champion Cole Custer, Sammy Smith, and A.J. Allmendinger.

Three-time season winner and current top playoff seed Shane van Gisbergen, whose success has come on road courses in the summer months, qualified 26th for his Pocono debut.

Broadcast coverage of the Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 is slated for 3 p.m. ET, live on USA, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.