November 01, 2024: NASCAR Xfinity Series races during the National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia. 

(HHP/Jacy Norgaard)
Parker Retzlaff (HHP/Jacy Norgaard)

Retzlaff Surprises Playoff Contenders With Xfinity Pole

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Parker Retzlaff was an unlikely pole winner during qualifying Friday afternoon for Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Driving a Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing, Retzlaff turned a lap of 19.901 seconds (95.151 mph) to score his second pole of the season.

“I think that we have shown a lot of speed this year, we just haven’t been able to finish anything out, so I am happy we got another pole,” Retzlaff said. “It is our second pole of the year. For a smaller team, that is something that is good to do and, hopefully, we will build that momentum tomorrow.”

Anthony Alfredo qualified second in another Chevrolet.

Chandler Smith was the best qualifying playoff driver, taking third spot in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He’ll share the second row with Jesse Love, also in the playoffs, in a Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Playoff drivers Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill and Sammy Smith claimed positions five through seven.

Hill and A.J. Allmendinger have already clinched two of the four spots in the Championship 4 next weekend at Phoenix Raceway, leaving two spots available on Saturday.