NASCAR cancels Darlington qualifying due to lightning as Reddick takes pole
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 11:40 PM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
NASCAR officials canceled practice and qualifying sessions for the Cup Series at Darlington Raceway on Saturday due to persistent lightning in the area. Despite the absence of rain, the dangerous weather conditions forced the cancellation of all on-track activity for the day. Per league protocols, the starting lineup for the Southern 500 will now be determined by a metric formula based on owner standings and recent race performance. This calculation places Tyler Reddick on the pole, with Daniel Suarez starting alongside him on the front row. Several Chase drivers, including Carson Hocevar and Chris Buescher, will begin the event further back in the field. The race is scheduled to proceed tomorrow night at Darlington.
- •Severe weather and lightning forced the cancellation of all Saturday activity at Darlington Raceway.
- •The starting order follows a weighted metric of owner standings and previous race results.
- •Tyler Reddick starts from the pole with Daniel Suarez in the second position.
- •The Southern 500 serves as the opening race of the 2026 Chase.
- 12:27 AMESPN F1 — Reddick on Darlington pole after qualifying nixed
- 10:16 PMRacer — Darlington qualifying canceled, Reddick to start from pole
- 10:08 PMMotorsport.com — NASCAR Cup Darlington Southern 500 starting lineup after lightning cancels qualifying
- 10:08 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Darlington Southern 500 starting lineup after lightning cancels qualifying
- 10:07 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Darlington Lineup Set After Qualifying Canceled
"Unfortunately, constant lightning on a very hot day in Darlington forced NASCAR to cancel Cup Series qualifying for the very first race of the 2026 Chase...even without a single drop of rain. As a result, the metric will set the starting lineup, which 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%). Tyler Reddick, who ...Keep reading
"Despite no rain, constant lightning nearby forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying for the 77th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
"NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying were canceled Saturday at Darlington Raceway because severe weather lingered over the area.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Sep 6, 2026, 12:27 AMReddick on Darlington pole after qualifying nixed
Tyler Reddick will start up front for the Southern 500 after lightning canceled qualifying at Darlington Raceway on Saturday.
- RacerSep 5, 2026, 10:16 PMDarlington qualifying canceled, Reddick to start from pole
NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying were canceled Saturday at Darlington Raceway because severe weather lingered over the area.
- Motorsport.comSep 5, 2026, 10:08 PMNASCAR Cup Darlington Southern 500 starting lineup after lightning cancels qualifying
Unfortunately, constant lightning on a very hot day in Darlington forced NASCAR to cancel Cup Series qualifying for the very first race of the 2026 Chase...even without a single drop of rain. As a result, the metric will set the starting lineup, which 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%). Tyler Reddick, who ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 10:08 PMNASCAR Cup Darlington Southern 500 starting lineup after lightning cancels qualifying
Despite no rain, constant lightning nearby forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying for the 77th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 10:07 PMNASCAR Cup Darlington Lineup Set After Qualifying Canceled
NASCAR Cup Series qualifying was canceled due to rain on Saturday. Tyler Reddick will start from the pole.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 11:16 PMRiley Herbst joins Legacy Motor Club in No. 84 for 2027 NASCAR Cup season
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 6:25 PMBriscoe feels this year offers him a better chance to win Cup Series title
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 6:12 PMRiley Herbst confirms concussion sidelined him from Daytona
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 5:30 PMAlpha Prime Racing partners with Ford for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 4:18 PM23XI Racing driver reveals uncompromising expectations of driving for Michael Jordan
NASCAR•Sep 5, 2026, 3:11 PMThieves Hit NASCAR Iron Man Dave Marcis' Home, Made Off With Guns, Rolexes, and Irreplaceable Racing History