NASCAR Canceled Kansas Cup Series Qualifying
Heavy rain forced NASCAR officials to cancel the Cup Series qualifying session at Kansas Speedway.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Motorsports
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NASCAR officials canceled the Cup Series qualifying session at Kansas Speedway on Friday due to rain. The starting lineup for Sunday's race was determined using a performance-based formula.
Why it matters
Qualifying sessions provide teams the opportunity to secure optimal track position, but inclement weather necessitated a shift to performance metrics to establish the grid. This is the second consecutive week that Cup Series qualifying has been canceled due to rain.
NASCAR set the starting order based on a formula using previous finish positions and season-long points standings. Joey Logano and Kyle Larson lead the field from the front row for the fourth race of the 10-event Chase.
The players
Joey Logano
He is a professional race car driver currently competing for the front-row starting position.
Kyle Larson
He is a prominent NASCAR Cup Series driver who secured a front-row start for this event.
The details
NASCAR utilized a performance metric system to set the starting lineup after rain washed out the scheduled qualifying session at Kansas Speedway. Joey Logano and Kyle Larson are set to start on the front row for the upcoming competition.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: Qualifying session canceled due to rain.
September 27, 2026: Sunday race scheduled for shortly after 3:00 PM.
Season Trajectory
This race marks the fourth of 10 events in the Chase, which serves as the ultimate postseason format to decide the 2026 Cup Series champion. The starting grid positions impact the early playoff standings as drivers fight to maintain momentum through the remainder of the schedule.
The cancellation of qualifying locks the starting lineup based on historical season performance rather than head-to-head speed on the track. Fans can tune in to the race broadcast on USA Network to see if Logano and Larson can convert their front-row positions into stage points.
The takeaway
NASCAR's reliance on performance-based metrics during rain-shortened weekends ensures that the competition continues according to its planned playoff schedule. Fans should monitor pre-race coverage for any potential shifts in broadcast timing due to ongoing weather concerns.
Further reading
For more information on the current racing schedule, visit the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Commercial.
Live Poll
Do you prefer NASCAR using performance metrics rather than on-track qualifying to set race lineups?
