William Byron claims Cup Series pole in Austin

(Photo credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports)
In a thrilling final qualifying round, Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron was able to hold on to the pole position despite a 94.685 mph run by Joe Gibbs Racing's Ty Gibbs, whose slight bobble in the final turns -- in the final seconds of the session -- at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) road course was just off the mark.

This is the 13th career pole for Byron, driv