The qualifying session, which got moved to Saturday due to rain at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, had drivers complete a three-lap run and a four-tire pit stop with mock fuel delivery on the second lap.
Logano, driving for Team Penske, showed great speed, leading with an average lap speed of 75.206 mph, despite his pit crew having the fifth-best stop on pit road.
Logano will start first in his heat race on Saturday night and also grab the pole position for the 200-lap All-Star main event, where the winner takes home $1 million.
“This qualifying session is the most fun qualifying session of the year, and it takes the whole team, right? The car has to go fast, we have to execute on pit road, the spotter has to do a good job, the pit crew had to do their part,” said Logano.
“Everybody’s got to do their part to make this happen. Never got an (all-star) pole before, actually I think I’ve never (correctly) stopped in the stall.”
Brad Keselowski, another Ford driver, came in second fastest overall (74.884 mph) and will start on the pole for the second heat race on Saturday.
Bell took the third spot (74.859 mph), and his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team had the quickest pit stop at 13.223 seconds, winning the pit crew challenge for the second year in a row.
Being the pit crew challenge winner, Bell’s team gets to choose the first pit stall for Sunday night’s All-Star Race main event.
“It’s two in a row for these guys and it’s been awesome,” Bell said. “I’m incredibly happy for them and honored to be their driver.”
Rear tire changer Michaeal Hicks said, “I’m blessed to be with this group of guys. I couldn’t do this if I didn’t have a good supporting cast. Those guys are the best on pit road, and we’ve got a stud for a driver.”
Daniel Suarez came in fourth fastest overall, followed by Chris Buescher in fifth.
Apart from Logano, the results of Saturday night’s heat races will determine the lineup for Sunday night’s All-Star Race.
