Connor Mosack secured the NASCAR pole position for the Craftsman Truck Series in St. Petersburg after qualifying was canceled because of rain on Friday, February 27. The starting lineup was determined by metric system rules, resulting in Mosack, representing Spire Motorsports, being placed at the front.
Rain Alters Qualifying Process and Decides Starting Grid
Due to the weather interruption, NASCAR officials relied on established metrics, not lap times, to allocate starting positions. Gio Ruggiero from TRICON Garage will begin beside Mosack in second, while James Hinchcliffe, making his first appearance in the Truck Series, starts third. Ben Rhodes earned the fourth spot, with Chandler Smith rounding out the top five.
Drivers’ Starting Positions Announced for the Race
The remainder of the top ten features several notable drivers, with Dario Franchitti, Wesley Slimp, Landen Lewis, Jake Garcia, and Adam Andretti starting sixth through tenth, respectively. With 36 drivers entered, every participant will have the opportunity to race on Saturday in St. Petersburg.
Series Debut Highlights St. Petersburg Event
This weekend marks the first time the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race in St. Petersburg. Television coverage for Saturday’s event starts at noon Eastern on FOX. The altered qualifying process adds an extra dimension to the debut, as drivers and teams adapt to an unprecedented lineup order and prepare for unpredictable racing conditions.
