The official NASCAR Cup Series Daytona starting lineup has been announced after qualifying was canceled at Daytona International Speedway due to inclement weather, with Ryan Blaney claiming the pole position for Saturday’s highly anticipated race. The starting grid was determined using the series’ rule book metrics, setting the tone for an exciting race day in Florida.
Qualifying Canceled by Weather Leads to Rule Book Lineup
Qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway was canceled because of adverse weather conditions, prompting officials to set the Saturday starting order by metric scoring as outlined in NASCAR’s regulations. Fans eager for on-track qualifying activities saw plans changed rapidly, but organizers ensured the field was established fairly based on season performance, previous results, and owner points.
The focus now shifts to the race itself, as drivers will need to adapt quickly to the arrangements and grid order imposed by the process. Ryan Blaney earned the top spot with a metric score of 3.600, putting him at the front of the 40-car field for the green flag start. Other notable drivers among the first rows include Alex Bowman with a metric score of 4.100, followed by Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five starters. The grid also features strong contenders such as Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe within the top ten positions.
Complete NASCAR Cup Series Daytona Starting Lineup
The full starting grid for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona race, as set by the rule book’s metric scores, is as follows:
1. Ryan Blaney (3.600)
2. Alex Bowman (4.100)
3. Kyle Larson (5.400)
4. Joey Logano (6.400)
5. Austin Cindric (7.400)
6. Denny Hamlin (7.600)
7. Austin Dillon (8.200)
8. William Byron (8.700)
9. Chase Briscoe (11.500)
10. Brad Keselowski (12.000)
11. Josh Berry (12.200)
12. Daniel Suarez (13.600)
13. Zane Smith (15.800)
14. Kyle Busch (16.000)
15. Christopher Bell (16.500)
16. Carson Hocevar (16.500)
17. Shane van Gisbergen (17.000)
18. Ty Gibbs (17.700)
19. Ross Chastain (17.800)
20. Michael McDowell (18.200)
21. AJ Allmendinger (20.800)
22. Bubba Wallace (22.600)
23. Ty Dillon (23.600)
24. Chris Buescher (24.300)
25. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (24.500)
26. Erik Jones (25.100)
27. Tyler Reddick (25.900)
28. Todd Gilliland (26.800)
29. Cole Custer (27.000)
30. Chase Elliott (27.500)
31. Ryan Preece (28.700)
32. Noah Gragson (28.800)
33. Riley Herbst (32.200)
34. John Hunter Nemechek (33.000)
35. Cody Ware (33.200)
36. Austin Hill (34.500)
37. Justin Haley (34.900)
38. BJ McLeod (39.800)
39. Casey Mears (40.700)
40. Joey Gase (42.500)
Championship Points and Playoff Picture
Heading into the Daytona race weekend, championship points reflect a season filled with close competition and several multiple-race winners. Denny Hamlin leads the standings with four wins, followed closely by Shane van Gisbergen, who also holds four victories. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell each have three wins, while William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, and Austin Dillon have each secured at least one victory, ensuring their names remain significant within the playoff discussion.
Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman hold strong point margins above the playoff cutline at +89 and +60, respectively. Meanwhile, drivers such as Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, and Ty Gibbs find themselves below the cutline, with negative point differentials adding pressure as they vie for a chance to advance before the playoffs.
Daytona International Speedway remains the battleground where opportunities can shift rapidly, as previous series events at this historic venue have shown that surprises are always possible. Every position in the starting lineup brings its own set of challenges and advantages for drivers like Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Brad Keselowski, and Daniel Suarez, all aiming for a strong performance.
Race Day Significance and What to Watch
With the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona starting lineup now set, anticipation builds for a race that could dramatically alter the championship chase and playoff scenarios. The use of metric scoring instead of on-track qualifying adds an extra layer of unpredictability, with drivers like Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson holding prime positions as they pursue a key victory.
The event at Daytona International Speedway, home to dramatic lead changes and high-paced action, will keep fans and participants on edge throughout the race. Key figures including Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace remain central to the ongoing stories within the series, as every lap completed at Daytona may prove instrumental for playoff seeding and championship momentum.
