NASCAR has been using a qualifying formula—a combination of 30% owner points standings and 70% finishing position from the previous race—to set the starting lineup for the Cup Series in three of the first four Chase events. This approach was necessary due to qualifying cancellations at Kansas Speedway caused by scattered thunderstorms. Consequently, Joey Logano, who won at Bristol, will start on the pole for Sunday’s 400-mile race, with points leader Kyle Larson lining up beside him in second place.
Following them are Christopher Bell in third, Carson Hocevar fourth, and Ty Gibbs fifth. Denny Hamlin, the regular-season champion and just one point behind Larson, will begin sixth. The drivers starting furthest back among the Chase contenders include Chase Elliott in 18th, Chase Briscoe in 23rd, and Ryan Blaney in 25th. Practice sessions were also called off because of weather conditions, meaning all drivers will get their first track time once the race officially starts.
Notably, in Kansas’s recent history, 12 of 13 Cup races have been won by drivers who started in the top ten. The exception was Ross Chastain’s 2024 victory when he began the race 20th. This trend highlights the importance of starting near the front on this track.
2026 NASCAR Cup Kansas II Starting Lineup:
| Pos. | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Joey Logano (C) |
| 2 | Kyle Larson (C) |
| 3 | Christopher Bell (C) |
| 4 | Carson Hocevar (C) |
| 5 | Ty Gibbs (C) |
| 6 | Denny Hamlin (C) |
| 7 | Bubba Wallace (C) |
| 8 | William Byron (C) |
| 9 | Ryan Preece (C) |
| 10 | Josh Berry |
| 11 | Austin Cindric (C) |
| 12 | Chris Buescher (C) |
| 13 | Ross Chastain |
| 14 | Daniel Suarez (C) |
| 15 | Tyler Reddick (C) |
| 16 | Brad Keselowski |
| 17 | Shane van Gisbergen |
| 18 | Chase Elliott (C) |
| 19 | Austin Dillon |
| 20 | Todd Gilliland |
| 21 | Noah Gragson |
| 22 | Michael McDowell |
| 23 | Chase Briscoe (C) |
| 24 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 25 | Ryan Blaney (C) |
| 26 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 27 | Connor Zilisch |
| 28 | Zane Smith |
| 29 | Cole Custer |
| 30 | Erik Jones |
| 31 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 32 | Austin Hill |
| 33 | Alex Bowman |
| 34 | Riley Herbst |
| 35 | Cody Ware |
| 36 | Ty Dillon |
| 37 |
Fan Take: This lineup update is crucial for NASCAR enthusiasts because it showcases how weather can abruptly shake up race preparations, which adds an unpredictable element to the sport. Moreover, with most winners historically coming from the front rows at Kansas, securing a good starting spot in these chaotic circumstances could be the key to championship momentum.
Source: www.motorsport.com
