(Photo credit: Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

RICHMOND, Va. -- Ryan Preece delivered in the clutch, claiming the second pole position of his career Friday afternoon at Richmond (Va.) Raceway as he tries to earn a playoff position with only two regular-season races remaining before the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series championship field is set.

It's certainly a good omen for Preece heading into Saturday night's Cook Out 400 (7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the three-quarter mile track.

His No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Mustang turned a fast lap of 121.381 mph, edging 23XI Racing's Tyler Reddick by .087 of a second. The 34-year-old Connecticut native Preece last earned the pole in 2023 at another Virginia short track, Martinsville Speedway.

'I felt like it was on my bingo card, I'm not sure about everybody else's,' said a smiling Preece, who trails RFK teammate Chris Buescher by 34 points for the final playoff points position.

'That Ford Mustang was really sporty. I felt good about it in practice and it showed up for qualifying. We have a great starting spot and tomorrow we've just got to go execute and hopefully we can win this race.'

'At a place like this I would rather be out front. ... I'd rather be the one leading. Tomorrow is about getting out front, getting the clean air and setting my pace.'

It was also a particularly good day for the small Kaulig Racing team, whose veteran driver A.J. Allmendinger qualified third-fastest for his best career start at the track. Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin, a Virginia native and hometown favorite, will roll off fourth. Hendrick Motorsports' Chase Elliott rounds out the top five.

Among those contending for the final three playoff positions, Reddick needs to earn just 30 points Saturday night to finalize his spot. Hendrick Motorsports' Alex Bowman, who holds a 60-point advantage inside the standings, will start ninth. Buescher, in the 16th and final playoff points position, qualified 12th.

Thirteen drivers have claimed Playoff positions with victories this season. A new race winner this week at Richmond or next week in the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway would leap over Reddick, Bowman and Buescher in the playoff eligibility.

Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron, the NASCAR Cup Series championship leader, qualified 14th. He holds a 42-point advantage on his teammate Elliott for the regular- season championship and the 15 bonus points that pays following the Daytona race.

Richard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon, the defending race winner, will start 11th. Teammate Kyle Busch, a six-time winner at Richmond, will roll off 28th. Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano will start 38th.

--Field Level Media