NCS: Martin Truex Jr. takes pole in Xfinity 500 penultimate race at Martinsville Speedway

In his final season Martin Truex Jr. puts his No. 19 Toyota on the pole for tomorrow’s penultimate race at Martinsville with a time of 19.686 at 96.190 mph over Chase Elliott who posted a time of 19.758 at 95.840 mph.

William Byron who sits in fourth just seven points above the cut line rolls off third followed by Briscoe and Gibbs.

Other playoff drivers with Logano starting 12^th, Blaney 14^th, Bell 16^th, and Reddick 31^st. Both Logano and Reddick are locked into the Championship 4 with their wins in Vegas and Homestead.

Hamlin, who wrecked during the 45-minute practice was third on the speed charts during the session, would fail to post a qualifying time as the team went to work on making repairs to the damaged rear of the car to start from the rear of the field in 37^th.

The NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on NBC with stage breaks on laps 130, 260 and 500.