Storm Forces Metric-Based Starting Lineup at North Wilkesboro
An afternoon storm washed out Cup Series qualifying at North Wilkesboro Speedway, pushing officials to set the field by the competition metric instead. The formula weighs owner standings at 30 percent and the most recent race finish at 70 percent, placing Ryan Blaney on the pole in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford.
Ty Gibbs will join Blaney on the front row in the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, followed by Christopher Bell in third, Carson Hocevar fourth, and Tyler Reddick fifth. Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Chris Buescher, and Chase Elliott complete the top ten.
Several notable names find themselves deeper in the order, with Brad Keselowski slotted 23rd, Bubba Wallace 26th, Kyle Larson 27th, and Chase Briscoe 30th. Ross Chastain faces a steeper climb after his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet failed inspection three times, forcing a rear-of-field start and a pass-through penalty once the race begins.
Bell Paces Evening Practice Session
When the weather cleared enough for practice later in the evening, Bell topped the speed charts ahead of Hamlin and Chastain while also posting the best ten-lap average, signaling strong race pace for the No. 20 Toyota.