One of the qualifying races in NASCAR‘s Monster Energy Cup Series has been cancelled at nearly the last minute, FOX Sports reports. The event was set to determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s Food City 500 race.
Beginning earlier this morning (Friday, April 21st), everyone who arrived at Bristol Motor Speedway had been anxiously awaiting NASCAR’s decision regarding today’s scheduled qualifying race that was supposed to start at 4:30 p.m. local time.
According to Joe Menzer with FOX Sports, all activities had been placed on hold while officials decided what to do about an unexpected rainstorm that was moving through the area. There is more rain forecast throughout the day and may present a problem for the various practices scheduled.
There has since been a break in the downpour, and the track underwent a drying period so that at least some of the events would still happen. Menzer states that currently the K&N Series practice is taking advantage of the window.
In addition to the K&N Series practice, there was an XFINITY Series practice, and then single Monster Energy Cup Series practice set for later in the day – weather permitting.
Without the qualifying race, NASCAR rules state that the starting lineup for Sunday’s race shall be determined by total owner points, which could have an effect on your favorite driver.
The weather also has a chance of affecting Sunday’s race as more rain is expected in Bristol on both Saturday and Sunday.
Below is the starting lineup for Sunday’s race now that the qualifying event has been cancelled.
2017 Food City 500 – Bristol Motor Speedway
Sunday, April 23rd – 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- Kyle Larson
- Chase Elliott
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
- Joey Logano
- Ryan Blaney
- Kyle Busch
- Jamie McMurray
- Clint Bowyer
- Kevin Harvick
- Jimmie Johnson
- Trevor Bayne
- Ryan Newman
- Erik Jones
- Kurt Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Kasey Kahne
- Aric Almirola
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Austin Dillon
- Matt Kenseth
- Daniel Suarez
- Ty Dillon
- AJ Allmendinger
- Paul Menard
- Chris Buescher
- Michael McDowell
- Danica Patrick
- Landon Cassill
- Cole Whitt
- Matt DiBenedetto
- David Ragan
- Corey Lajoie
- Reed Sorenson
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Gray Gaulding
- Derrike Cope
- Timmy Hill
Watch the video below of Kyle Busch’s crash during the 2013 Bristol Motor Speedway qualifying event.