There are no qualifiers during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing NASCAR to get creative in figuring out where each driver starts, This was the ninth time a version of the formula was used to determine the starting lineup for a race.
The Xfinity 500 (2 p.m. ET, NBCS) is the final race of the Round of 8 and will set the Championship 4 field for Phoenix.
MORE: Updated 2020 NASCAR Cup Series standings
The current formula was also used to determine pit stall selections, which means the pole sitter for Sunday’s race made the first pit stall selection.
Below is the starting lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Martinsville and how it was set without qualifying.
Who won the pole for the NASCAR race at Martinsville?
Brad Keselowski holds the pole position for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville. He’s the first driver above the elimination cut-line, so his early advantage could provide an important boost in his quest to hold off the likes of Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Kurt Busch.
Next to the No. 2 car on the front row will be Truex Jr., who enters desperate for a season-saving victory. The remaining playoff drivers will line up in this order: 3. Alex Bowman; 4. Denny Hamlin; 5. Kurt Busch; 6. Kevin Harvick; 7. Joey Logano; 8. Chase Elliott.
Below is the formula for how the Cup Series field was set at Martinsville:
35 percent: Owner’s points position after previous race 25 percent: Driver’s final race position in previous race 25 percent: Owner’s finish position in previous race 15 percent: Driver’s fastest lap time in previous race
NASCAR starting lineup at Martinsville
The starting lineup for Sunday’s race at Martinsville was determined by NASCAR’s new formula for setting lineups in races without qualifying. The same procedure will be used through the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
The formula produced this starting lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Martinsville:
(P) Playoff driver.
