Full Breakdown
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Canceled at Atlanta Due to Weather
2/22/2026, 2:13:41 AM
Rain and Lightning Disrupt Qualifying
NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway was canceled on Saturday morning due to rain showers and lightning in the area. As a result, the starting lineup for the race will be determined using a metric system that averages the car's position in the owner standings (30%) and the entry's finish in the most recent race (70%). This adjustment to the qualifying process was implemented for the 2026 season.
Starting Lineup for the Race
Tyler Reddick, the championship leader and winner of the Daytona 500, will start from pole position in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota. He is joined on the front row by Joey Logano, who finished third in the Daytona 500 despite crashing during the race, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford. The remainder of the top five includes Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in third, Chase Elliott in fourth, and Brad Keselowski in fifth. Other notable drivers in the top ten include Zane Smith, Chris Buescher, Riley Herbst, Bubba Wallace, and Josh Berry.
Drivers starting outside the top 20 include Ross Chastain in 21st, Ryan Blaney in 22nd, Ryan Preece in 26th, Shane van Gisbergen in 28th, Denny Hamlin in 29th, Austin Cindric in 30th, Connor Zilisch in 31st, Christopher Bell in 32nd, Chase Briscoe in 34th, and Alex Bowman in 36th.
Official Statements & Responses
Chase Elliott's team expressed satisfaction with the outcome, as his fourth-place finish in the Daytona 500 secured him a strong starting position. The race is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday and will be broadcast on FOX.
Criticism & Opposition
While the metric system for setting the lineup has its supporters, some drivers and teams have expressed concerns about its fairness compared to traditional qualifying methods. Critics argue that relying on past performance may not accurately reflect current form, particularly in a sport where conditions can change rapidly.
What's Next
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta will proceed as planned despite the cancellation of qualifying. Teams will now focus on race strategy and adjustments based on their starting positions.
