Ryan Blaney Daytona pole position was decided by unforeseen weather as lightning forced officials to cancel the NASCAR Cup qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, leaving drivers and fans waiting for updates as the grid was determined by standard NASCAR metrics. This unexpected turn secures Blaney’s place at the front for Saturday’s race and adds unique tension to the already electric Daytona atmosphere.
Weather Forces NASCAR to Cancel Qualifying at Daytona
Heavy storm clouds moved over Daytona, bringing a lightning storm severe enough to force officials to halt the NASCAR Cup qualifying before it could properly begin. The event had 40 Cup cars and 38 Xfinity cars ready to set their starting spots, but nature intervened before any clear order could be determined on track. Due to the rainout, NASCAR’s policy took over, assigning positions using a formula that averages several performance indicators. No team from either series was sent home, an outcome welcomed by many.
Ryan Blaney Leads the Field for Saturday’s Race
Ryan Blaney, driving the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, emerged in prime position, claiming the pole for Saturday night’s race. Blaney will be joined on the front row by Alex Bowman, who is grappling with added pressure as he attempts to hang on to the final playoff spot, currently ranked sixteenth. The battle at the front will be fierce, with several prominent drivers lining up in the top positions.
Kyle Larson is set to start from third, just ahead of Joey Logano in fourth and Austin Cindric in fifth. The rest of the top ten features Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Brad Keselowski, each a well-established contender hoping to make their mark at Daytona. The mix of seasoned stars and playoff hopefuls sets the stage for a dramatic showdown.
Xfinity Series Also Hit by Lightning Interruption
The Xfinity Series qualifying session met a similar fate. Though several cars managed to complete laps, another lightning strike quickly put an end to proceedings. This left Connor Zilisch as the provisional polesitter, an especially notable feat as he recovers from a broken collarbone. Zilisch plans a brief run before likely yielding his seat at the first caution, possibly to Parker Kligerman, with the goal of scoring valuable points by simply taking the start. This situation has created intrigue as many wonder if Zilisch will indeed begin from the front as planned, or if Kligerman will step in for JR Motorsports.
Sam Mayer will start second in the Xfinity race, with Sammy Smith in third. Both competitors are eager to make an impact at Daytona, hoping to write themselves into the track’s storied record books. Inclement weather, however, continues to threaten, leaving uncertainty over whether either the Friday night Xfinity race or Saturday’s Cup event will be disrupted by further storms.
Daytona Faces Uncertainty Amid Weather and Racing Drama
With lightning and frequent rain altering the weekend’s schedule, both teams and fans are left in suspense. The events of qualifying set up not only a dramatic Saturday race with Ryan Blaney Daytona pole position, but also put pressure on playoff hopefuls like Alex Bowman and stars such as Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano. Meanwhile, the uncertainty hovers over the Xfinity Series, with Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, Parker Kligerman, and Connor Zilisch each awaiting further developments.
As the weekend unfolds, all attention remains fixed on Daytona International Speedway. The persistent threat of storms may challenge the remaining events, but it also promises unpredictability, intense competition, and possibly more surprises in one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues.
