The NASCAR Cup Series Atlanta lineup is locked in for the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway after qualifying was canceled due to weather, placing drivers according to the pre-established NASCAR metric formula. Scheduled for Sunday, this will be Atlanta’s ninth superspeedway race since its reconfiguration, following immediately after the Daytona 500 as part of NASCAR’s traditional early-season schedule.
Superspeedway Tradition Continues at EchoPark Speedway
For the third consecutive year, the NASCAR Cup Series starts with back-to-back superspeedway events, beginning at Daytona International Speedway and moving to EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The Atlanta track measures 1.54 miles with four turns, earning its place alongside iconic venues like Daytona and Talladega as a key superspeedway on the calendar. After being repaved and reworked following the 2021 season, Atlanta has provided thrilling, pack-style racing reminiscent of its sister tracks.
Impact of Canceled Qualifying on Starting Grid
Unpredictable weather led to the cancellation of this weekend’s qualifying session, a scenario not uncommon for NASCAR events. In place of on-track timed laps, the full starting lineup for the Autotrader 400 was set by NASCAR’s metric formula, a system implemented before the 2025 season—ensuring a fair order when weather disrupts plans. The formula takes into account factors such as previous race results and owner points. As a result, the pole position and top starting spots shifted according to recent performance analytics, rather than direct track results.
The Official Starting Lineup for Atlanta
Below is the official starting order for the Atlanta round of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, led by Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota:
1 – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
2 – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
3 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
4 – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5 – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
6 – Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
7 – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
8 – Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
9 – Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
10 – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
11 – Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
12 – Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
13 – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14 – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
15 – Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
16 – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
17 – Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
18 – Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
19 – A.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
20 – Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
21 – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
22 – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
23 – Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
24 – John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
25 – Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
26 – Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
27 – Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet
28 – Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
29 – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
30 – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
31 – Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
32 – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
33 – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
34 – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
35 – Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
36 – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
37 – B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
38 – J.J. Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Series Standouts and Returning Contenders
Several well-known drivers feature prominently in the starting field. Tyler Reddick, representing 23XI Racing, will start up front, while Joey Logano of Team Penske and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet take the second and third spots. Other familiar names such as Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace, all notable for their previous successes, are positioned strongly for the race. Rising stars like Zane Smith and Riley Herbst are also starting in favorable positions among established veterans including Kyle Busch, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney. Teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, RFK Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing have multiple entries in the grid, promising spirited competition.
What to Expect from the Atlanta Race
With qualifying off the table, drivers will depend on their teams’ superspeedway setups and strategy heading into the race. Pack racing and drafting will play major roles at EchoPark Speedway, with contenders such as Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, and Daniel Suarez seeking to make up ground from mid-field positions. Weather remains a factor throughout the weekend, but fans are prepared for a dynamic 260-lap contest as the Cup Series continues its early season momentum after Daytona.
Fox will broadcast live coverage of the Autotrader 400 from EchoPark Speedway, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22. This Atlanta event marks the second race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, providing teams another chance to adjust strategies and gain points as the quest for the championship heats up. Given how the starting order was decided, observers are watching closely to see which teams can adapt best under the changed circumstances.
