Michael McDowell secured his fifth pole position of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, clocking in at 179.267 mph for the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He will lead the field alongside fellow playoff contender Ryan Blaney, who qualified second. The race marks the beginning of the NASCAR playoffs, with 16 drivers vying for the championship title, and is set to take place at 3 p.m. ET on September 8. Notable qualifying performances include Todd Gilliland, Josh Berry, and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five. The event will feature a fireworks display during the pace lap, adding to the excitement of the playoff opener. Furthermore, NASCAR veteran Paul Goldsmith, who passed away at the age of 98, was remembered for his significant contributions to motorsports history.