Kyle Larson secures Bristol pole after rainy qualifying cancellation
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 10:03 PM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Kyle Larson has earned the pole position for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Qualifying was canceled due to rain, prompting the lineup to be determined using a metric based on recent race performance and team standings. Larson, who won the previous race at World Wide Technology Raceway, will be joined on the front row by Joey Logano, with Denny Hamlin in third and William Byron in fourth. The race features a full field of drivers, reflecting competitive stakes in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- •Qualifying canceled at Bristol due to rain
- •Kyle Larson claims pole position through metrics
- •Joey Logano starts in second place
- •Denny Hamlin and William Byron secure third and fourth spots
- •The race is set for Saturday night
- 10:03 PMRacer — Larson lands NASCAR pole after Bristol qualifying rainout
- 9:46 PMYahoo Sports — Kyle Larson Gets NASCAR Cup Bristol Pole After Qualifying Canceled
- 9:30 PMMotorsport.com — NASCAR Cup Bristol Night Race starting lineup: Kyle Larson on pole as rain cancels qualifying
"For the second time in the first three races of the Chase, the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup will be decided by the metric. Lightning and rain forced series officials to cancel qualifying for both the Cup and O'Reilly Series. The metric is a weighted average of a car's place in the owner standings (30%), and the entry's finish in the most recent race (70%). Kyle Larson, who won last ...Keep reading
"Rain and lightning has kept the NASCAR Cup Series field grounded for qualifying in Thunder Valley, giving the pole to WWTR winner Kyle Larson. Joey Logano will join Larson on the front row.
"Kyle Larson will start on the pole for Saturday night's Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Qualifying was canceled due to rain.
Sources
External links- RacerSep 18, 2026, 10:03 PMLarson lands NASCAR pole after Bristol qualifying rainout
Rain and lightning has kept the NASCAR Cup Series field grounded for qualifying in Thunder Valley, giving the pole to WWTR winner Kyle Larson. Joey Logano will join Larson on the front row.
- Yahoo SportsSep 18, 2026, 9:46 PMKyle Larson Gets NASCAR Cup Bristol Pole After Qualifying Canceled
Kyle Larson will start on the pole for Saturday night's Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Qualifying was canceled due to rain.
- Motorsport.comSep 18, 2026, 9:30 PMNASCAR Cup Bristol Night Race starting lineup: Kyle Larson on pole as rain cancels qualifying
For the second time in the first three races of the Chase, the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup will be decided by the metric. Lightning and rain forced series officials to cancel qualifying for both the Cup and O'Reilly Series. The metric is a weighted average of a car's place in the owner standings (30%), and the entry's finish in the most recent race (70%). Kyle Larson, who won last ...Keep reading
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