TC Daily Pit Stop: Taylor Gray On O'Reilly Pole; Alfredo Feels He Has Nothing to Prove In 'Huge' Hendrick Opportunity

TC Daily Pit Stop: Saturday, March 7, 2026

Mar 07, 2026

Alfredo Feels He’s Got Nothing to Prove to Anybody in ‘Huge’ Hendrick Opportunity

Ahead of Anthony Alfredo is the opportunity of a lifetime in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway. The journeyman NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racer and Hendrick Motorsports simulator driver will slide behind the wheel of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet in place of Alex Bowman, who wasn’t medically cleared to run the event.

While there’s a lot to be excited about on the surface, Alfredo is finding it hard to find excitement in the one-off Hendrick Motorsports start due to Bowman's health issues.

“It’s one of those things that’s just weird, right? I don’t want to see anyone in the position Alex is in, so it’s hard for me to be excited,” Alfredo explained. “That makes it certainly disappointing because a lot of people are asking me how excited I am, and I’m not excited that I have to fill in for someone who’s not able to be in their own car this weekend. But, of course, a huge opportunity for me to go out there and do a good job and maybe turn some heads. But I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anybody. I don’t think they would have picked me if they didn’t think I could do it, right?”

However, Alfredo is primed for success this weekend as he has logged thousands of laps around Phoenix Raceway in the Chevrolet simulator, and he’s worked alongside Blake Harris, the crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet, in that role.

Taylor Gray, Seeking Second Win, Snags Fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Pole

Taylor Gray scores the pole position for Saturday's GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway — Wes Masure III | TobyChristie.com

Taylor Gray embarks upon a journey to score his second career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win in the GOVX 200 on Saturday evening at Phoenix Raceway, and he’ll do so from the most enviable position on the start grid — the pole.

Gray secured his fourth career series pole position in Friday evening's qualifying session with a lap time of 27.535 seconds (130.743 mph). The lightning-quick lap time was 0.010 seconds faster than defending series champion Jesse Love, who nailed down the second starting spot for Saturday's race.