In a significant turn of events, NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Darlington Raceway has been canceled due to inclement weather, leading to the starting lineup for the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500 being determined without any qualifying laps. This decision means that Tyler Reddick will start the race from the pole position, with Daniel Suárez alongside him on the front row.
The cancellation of the qualifying session, originally scheduled for Saturday, has forced NASCAR to utilize its performance metric system to establish the grid for Sunday’s race. Reddick, who entered the weekend as a leading contender, will now have the strategic advantage of starting at the front of the pack—a critical factor at Darlington, where track position plays a vital role in race outcomes.
The full starting lineup for the Southern 500 reflects a mix of established stars and rising talents. Following Reddick and Suárez, Ryan Preece will start third, with veteran Denny Hamlin in fourth and Michael McDowell rounding out the top five. Austin Cindric, another strong competitor, will start sixth, while Chase Briscoe, the defending Southern 500 champion, will begin the race in seventh place. The lineup continues with notable names including Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in eighth, Austin Dillon in ninth, and Alex Bowman in tenth.
As the Southern 500 marks the opening race of NASCAR’s 10-race Chase for the Cup, the implications of the starting positions are magnified. Reddick's pole position is particularly crucial as he aims to capitalize on his strong performance this season, having already secured a victory at Darlington earlier in the year. The race will feature a total of 16 drivers vying for the championship, making every position on the grid even more significant.
However, not all championship contenders will have the same advantage. Drivers like Ryan Blaney, who will start in 24th, and Kyle Larson, starting in 25th, will have a challenging road ahead. Ty Gibbs will begin in 28th, while Carson Hocevar and Chris Buescher face uphill battles, starting in 34th and 35th, respectively. These positions could hinder their chances of advancing in the championship standings, especially in a race where overtaking can be difficult.
The Cook Out Southern 500 is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6. Fans can catch the action live on USA Network, with streaming options available on HBO Max. The race will consist of 367 laps around the 1.366-mile Darlington Raceway, totaling just over 500 miles. With the championship chase officially commencing, Reddick will have the best vantage point as the field prepares to take the green flag.
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