Ryan Blaney wins pole in critical playoff race at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney  drives down the front straightaway during qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday. (Photo: Ralph Freso  AP)
AVONDALE  Ariz. (AP)  â Ryan Blaney  probably needs to win at Phoenix Raceway to earn a shot at NASCARâs championship.
 He âll at least start up front Sunday in  his  bid to put The Wood Brothers in the final four contenders next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Blaney  won the pole in  his  final chance to qualify for NASCARâs championship race with a lap at 137.942 mph around Phoenix in a Ford.
It gave  Blaney  the top starting spot for Sundayâs penultimate race of the playoffs. There is one slot available in the field of four that will race for the championship next week  and  Blaney  is one of five drivers chasing that spot.
âOur mindset coming into this weekend was really trying to win the race and sitting on the pole. My mindset doesnât change â  Blaney  said. âI still want to go try to win the race  so thatâs the mindset weâve had all week and hopefully we can keep that and I think thatâs our goal.â
 Blaney  bested Denny Hamlin in Friday qualifying. Both playoff drivers need to win to grab the final spot in the finale  and Hamlin waited until the third and final round to cut a corner on the track in an attempt to better his time.
Hamlinâs lap at 137.936 briefly put his Toyota on top of the leaderboard  but  Blaney  bumped  him  moments later.
1. (21) Ryan Blaney  Ford  137.942 mph.
[TGT] drives down the front straightaway during qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday. (Photo: Ralph Freso  AP)
AVONDALE  Ariz. (AP)  â  [TGT] probably needs to win at Phoenix Raceway to earn a shot at NASCARâs championship.
  [TGT]  âll at least start up front Sunday in   [TGT]   bid to put The Wood Brothers in the final four contenders next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.   [TGT] won the pole in   [TGT]   final chance to qualify for NASCARâs championship race with a lap at 137.942 mph around Phoenix in a Ford.
It gave   [TGT] the top starting spot for Sundayâs penultimate race of the playoffs. There is one slot available in the field of four that will race for the championship next week  and   [TGT] is one of five drivers chasing that spot.
âOur mindset coming into this weekend was really trying to win the race and sitting on the pole. My mindset doesnât change â   [TGT] said. âI still want to go try to win the race  so thatâs the mindset weâve had all week and hopefully we can keep that and I think thatâs our goal.â
  [TGT] bested Denny Hamlin in Friday qualifying. Both playoff drivers need to win to grab the final spot in the finale  and Hamlin waited until the third and final round to cut a corner on the track in an attempt to better his time.
Hamlinâs lap at 137.936 briefly put his Toyota on top of the leaderboard  but   [TGT] bumped   [TGT]   moments later.
1. (21)  [TGT]   Ford  137.942 mph.