MADISON, Ill. – Denny Hamlin is perfect for the 2025 Playoffs – at least when it comes to qualifying.

With a lap at 139.190 mph (32.330 seconds) on Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Hamlin claimed the pole position for the second time in two Playoff races and will lead the field to green in Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 (3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Hamlin’s No.19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was 0.021 seconds faster than the No. 5 Chevrolet of Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (139.099 mph), the only Playoff driver to participate in a Goodyear tire test at the 1.25-mile track in June.

The Busch Light Pole Award was Hamlin’s first at Gateway – and the first for Toyota – his third of the season and the 46th of his career, tying him with NASCAR Hall of Fa

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