Tyler Reddick Claims Southern 500 Pole as Lightning Cancels Qualifying at Darlington
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 5
Tyler Reddick Claims Southern 500 Pole as Lightning Cancels Qualifying at Darlington
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 5
Summary
Lightning at Darlington canceled Saturday qualifying, putting Tyler Reddick on the Southern 500 pole after NASCAR set the field by metrics.
NASCAR used a formula weighted 70% to last week's Daytona results and 30% to owner points to determine the starting order.
Reddick enters the 10-race playoffs as the No. 3 seed with a season-high five wins, including Darlington's spring race, and called the rainout a best-case scenario.
Daniel Suarez will start alongside Reddick on the front row, with Ryan Preece third and regular-season champion Denny Hamlin fourth.
Can Tyler Reddick capitalize on a weather-gifted pole position to sweep Darlington, or will severe tire falloff erase his early advantage?
Will NASCAR's controversial weather-adjusted metric system unfairly derail the championship hopes of top drivers starting deep in the pack at Darlington?