Rain clouds forced officials to cancel Friday’s qualifying session at Chicagoland Speedway, leaving the starting order for the Cuervo 300 to be set by the metric system. The decision shifted the focus from outright lap times to a points‑based draw that determined each driver’s position on the grid.
Pole Position and Front Row
Connor Zilisch emerged as the top‑ranked driver in the metric draw, earning the pole position for the July race. He will be joined on the front row by Brent Crews, who secured the second spot in the same draw.
The second row of the grid will feature Carson Kvapil and Corey Day, who followed Zilisch and Crews in the metric ranking. Their placement sets the stage for a competitive early stage of the event.
Several high‑profile drivers, including Cole Custer, Jeb Burton, Taylor Gray, Brandon Jones and Rajah Caruth, will start 20th or worse. Their lower grid positions reflect the randomness of the weather‑induced draw and add an extra layer of strategy for the teams.
JR Motorsports, the organization led by driver‑owner Justin Marks, will head the lineup with Zilisch at the front. The team’s strong performance in the metric draw underscores its preparation despite the unusual circumstances, and fans can expect a vigorous battle as the race unfolds.