At EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, rainy weather forced the cancellation of NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, placing Tyler Reddick on pole for the Autotrader 400 set for Sunday. This outcome arises as the NASCAR rulebook mandates the starting lineup be determined by a performance metric when qualifying cannot be run, keeping Tyler Reddick on pole as the focus keyword and reflecting his strong start to the season after his Daytona 500 victory.
How the Starting Lineup Was Decided
With the qualifying session off the schedule due to the rain, NASCAR established the order using its standard formula: 70 percent tied to the results from the previous race and 30 percent based on car owner points. Having captured victory at Daytona and leading the standings, Tyler Reddick earned the top position. Joey Logano, another frontrunner who finished third in the Daytona 500, will start alongside Reddick in second place.
No Practice Before the Race Begins
The rainout means Sunday will be the first chance for drivers to take laps at Atlanta, as there is no practice scheduled for drafting tracks after Daytona. This common approach aims to minimize risk for teams, given that accidents during practice could outweigh any benefits derived from extra preparation. As a result, drivers like Reddick will only hit the track when the green flag drops at 3 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
Reddick’s Approach After a Busy Week
Tyler Reddick has faced a stretch filled with media and winner’s responsibilities following his victory in the Daytona 500, but the rainout gave him a quieter day.
“There’s a number of things that have been out of sorts, if you will, but for the most part, it was a normal week on the prep side,”
said Reddick, Daytona 500 winner.
“So I think I’ll be good.”
— Tyler Reddick, Daytona 500 winner
Weather and Race Expectations
The FOX Weather forecast suggests cool conditions in the 40s for Sunday, with no further rain expected. This should provide stable track conditions for the drivers as NASCAR Cup Series competition returns to Atlanta, highlighted by Tyler Reddick on pole and Joey Logano in close pursuit. As teams and fans prepare, the absence of practice and the unpredictability of racing at Atlanta could set the stage for a dramatic contest.
