NASCAR’s 2026 playoff qualifying rule diverges from the regular‑season format, guaranteeing that drivers who compete in the postseason will always be the last to earn a starting position, regardless of their metric scores.
Saturday’s rain‑soaked conditions at Darlington Raceway forced the cancellation of qualifying for the Cook Out Southern 500, prompting NASCAR to assemble a composite metric ranking that blended owner standings with recent race finishes.
The resulting lineup placed only eight of the playoff contenders among the top sixteen spots, with Chris Buescher, who had been 23rd among his playoff peers, sliding to 35th after the metric reversal.
Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing secured pole position for the event, while the full grid was confirmed following the rainout, and the race will be aired live on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 6.
This marks the first Chase race since 2013, underscoring NASCAR’s effort to preserve the drama of the postseason even when inclement weather disrupts the usual qualifying process.