The starting grid for Wednesday’s race at Martinsville, scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and broadcast live on FS1, features five Fords in the first six starting spots as a result of the procedure that utilizes a combination of points standings and a random draw to set the lineup.
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As for pit stall selection for the NASCAR Cup Series races being run without qualifying, it is ordered based on finishing positions from the series’ previous race, followed by new entries in order of points. So Atlanta winner Kevin Harvick had the first pit stall selection for Wednesday night’s race, an important advantage at Martinsville.
Below is the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville and how it was set.
Who won the pole for the NASCAR race at Martinsville?
Another random draw for the lineup of a Cup race, another pole for a Team Penske driver. This time it was Ryan Blaney who earned the No. 1 starting spot based on a draw that took place Monday.
Blaney likely will choose the bottom lane to start Wednesday night’s race, because his Penske teammate Joey Logano will start third, on the inside of Row 2.
Below is the protocol for how the Cup Series field was set at Martinsville:
Positions 1-12: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points Positions 13-24: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points Positions 25-36: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points Positions 37-40: Open teams in order of owners points
NASCAR starting lineup at Martinsville
The same protocol that set the lineup for Wednesday night’s Martinsville race will be used to set the lineup for the upcoming Cup Series races at Homestead-Miami (June 14) and Talladega (June 21). Those races also will run without prior practice sessions with the exception of Talladega, which will have an hour-long practice session the day before the race.
As for Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville, the draw for the starting lineup took place Monday. Below are the results: