NASCAR called off qualifying for the 2026 Darlington Southern 500 after a sudden lightning strike illuminated a hot day, rendering the track unsafe for timed runs.
Instead of a traditional shoot‑out, the starting lineup will be constructed from a weighted blend of owner standings—accounting for 30 percent of the calculation—and the most recent race finish, which comprises the remaining 70 percent.
Qualifying Format Overhaul
Tyler Reddick, who posted a third‑place finish at Daytona, will line up on pole in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, capitalizing on his strong recent form.
Right behind him, Daniel Suarez, the No. 11 Chase seed and the runner‑up from Daytona, will start second in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, his consistent season earning him the top Chase position.
Ryan Preece takes third place in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, a spot that reflects his maiden career victory earlier in the season.
Veteran Denny Hamlin, the No. 1 Chase seed, is slated to begin fourth, while Michael McDowell, the highest‑ranked non‑Chase competitor, will round out the top five.
The next five positions are filled by Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Austin Dillon and Alex Bowman, completing a top‑ten grid that blends experienced road‑course racers with rising talent.
Among the championship contenders, Carson Hocevar and Chris Buescher find themselves down the order, starting 34th and 35th respectively, a reminder of how the new qualifying format can reshuffle the title picture.
With no practice sessions scheduled, teams will have limited opportunity to fine‑tune setups before the green flag drops, adding an extra layer of strategy to the event.