Josh Berry Leads Record-Setting ValleyStar Credit Union 300 Qualifying Session

Josh Berry felt good after practice for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 and he also felt good after qualifying.

The JR Motorsports driver picked up his first Martinsville Speedway pole award with a track record time of 19.927 seconds (95.027 mph) to win the pole for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300.

Berry was one of 20 drivers who were able to lock in their position during qualifying on Friday.

“We had a great run last year come back and build off that,” said Berry. “We had a good test last week and towards the end of practice (Friday) I felt pretty good about (the car).

Qualifying is always hard to tell with it being close and you have to make good adjustments. We have a long way to go (this weekend) but we’re off to a good start.”

Layne Riggs followed closely in second with a time of 19.959 seconds (94.874 mph) with Bobby McCarty third at 20.011. Peyton Sellers and Lee Pulliam rounded out the top five.

Riggs was happy with his qualifying effort as well.

“We had a really good car tonight and while I’m not a veteran like the guys up front with me but we have a good car and ready for tomorrow night,” Riggs said.

Dustin Rumley was sixth and Bubba Pollard qualified seventh in his first start for JR Motorsports. Trevor Noles also tied the previous track record at 20.100 seconds finishing in eighth.

Tommy Lemon, Jr. and Justin T. Carroll rounded out the top 10.

The top 20 cars were locked in qualifying with the remaining 48 cars set to compete in a pair of qualifying races on Saturday to complete the 40-car field in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300.

Tickets to the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, the NASCAR Hall of Fame 200, the First Data 500 as well as the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Night Race at Martinsville Speedway can be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com or by calling 877.RACE.TIX.