William Byron wins pole position for NASCAR Cup elimination race at Martinsville

(Photo credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images)

MARTINSVILLE, Va.--Talk about perfect timing.

William Byron, one of four drivers realistically needing a victory at Martinsville Speedway to advance to the Championship 4 race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, picked the ideal moment to win his first pole position at the historic short track.

Covering the 0.526-mile distance in 19.286 seconds (98.185 mph) on S