It’s almost race time at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Dollar Tree 301, and the Magic Mile is already showing its personality. A light, steady rain has hovered over the track since the morning, forcing teams to rethink their opening strategy and prepare for a race that may swing between damp and dry conditions. Even so, everything seems to be aligning for an action‑packed Cup Series afternoon.23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick put the No. 45 on the pole Saturday with a blistering lap at 131.04 mph in 29.054 seconds.

It’s his first pole since Kansas, and he carries the confidence of a driver who knows he can win here. Reddick has spent the last month bouncing between the front and back of the field, but Saturday’s speed gave his team a needed boost. He said the harder days have shaped the group, and he praised the way they keep fighting. “We fight through those hard days very well as a team,” he said. Giving up is not an option for the No. 45 camp.Last weekend in Richmond, Reddick clawed his way into the top 20, a finish he hopes will serve as a turning point.

Today’s race offers a chance to convert that momentum into a top‑five run or even a trip back to victory lane. Yet the pole only guarantees clean air at the start. With rain lingering over Loudon, the opening laps will likely begin on wet‑weather tires, which changes everything from braking points to corner entry. Teams have already discussed how quickly the track may transition once the rain stops, and crew chiefs expect the first major decision to revolve around when to switch from wets to slicks. That timing could decide the race.

Starting alongside Reddick is No. 21 driver Josh Berry, who has spent most of the season searching for rhythm. Berry’s P2 start is a stark contrast to his yearlong struggles. He sits 30th in the standings with 24 starts and 337 points, and with only two races left in the regular season, the Chase cutline is slipping away. Even so, Berry has shown flashes of speed on flatter tracks, and today’s conditions may give him a chance to disrupt the front of the field.

However, the playoff bubble remains crowded. Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, and Austin Cindric are all fighting to stay within reach of the final postseason spots. Rain at New Hampshire adds another layer of urgency. The Magic Mile becomes unpredictable when moisture settles on the surface, and drivers who excel in low‑grip conditions often rise quickly. Van Gisbergen’s road‑course precision could help him manage the wet‑weather tires early. Wallace has shown strength on intermediate‑style layouts. Cindric’s braking discipline may give him an edge if the track stays damp longer than expected.

The opening laps will test patience. Wet‑weather tires wear quickly once the track begins to dry, and teams must avoid burning them off too soon. The first caution or drying line could trigger a split strategy, with some teams gambling on slicks while others stay conservative. Rain or not, the Magic Mile rarely delivers a quiet afternoon. Today’s race will hinge on timing, discipline, and the courage to make the right call when the track changes. Reddick has the speed. Now he needs the execution.

Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Cup Series: Starting Lineup

  1. Tyler Reddick — No. 45, 23XI Racing Toyota
  2. Josh Berry — No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
  3. William Byron — No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  4. Denny Hamlin — No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  5. Shane van Gisbergen — No. 97, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  6. Christopher Bell — No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  7. Ty Gibbs — No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  8. Ryan Blaney — No. 12, Team Penske Ford
  9. Kyle Larson — No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  10. Alex Bowman — No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  11. Erik Jones — No. 43, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
  12. Ross Chastain — No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  13. Todd Gilliland — No. 34, Front Row Motorsports Ford
  14. Zane Smith — No. 38, Front Row Motorsports Ford
  15. Chris Buescher — No. 17, RFK Racing Ford
  16. Michael McDowell — No. 71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  17. Chase Briscoe — No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  18. Ryan Preece — No. 60, RFK Racing Ford
  19. Noah Gragson — No. 4, Front Row Motorsports Ford
  20. Connor Zilisch — No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  21. Joey Logano — No. 22, Team Penske Ford
  22. Carson Hocevar — No. 77, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  23. Bubba Wallace — No. 23, 23XI Racing Toyota
  24. AJ Allmendinger — No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
  25. Brad Keselowski — No. 6, RFK Racing Ford
  26. Austin Cindric — No. 2, Team Penske Ford
  27. Riley Herbst — No. 35, 23XI Racing Toyota
  28. Austin Hill — No. 33, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
  29. Chase Elliott — No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — No. 47, HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
  31. John Hunter Nemechek — No. 42, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
  32. Cole Custer — No. 41, Haas Factory Team Chevrolet
  33. Ty Dillon — No. 10, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
  34. Austin Dillon — No. 3, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
  35. Daniel Suarez — No. 7, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  36. Cody Ware — No. 51, Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
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