The order was determined by a formula that combines owner and driver points for the season and performance in the previous race (in this case at Martinsville last weekend).
There are no qualifiers during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing NASCAR to get creative in figuring out where each driver starts. This was the 10th time a version of the formula was used to determine the starting lineup for a race.
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship race (3 p.m. ET, NBC) marks the conclusion of the 2020 campaign. Logano won it all in 2018 and Keselowski achieved the same feat in 2012. Hamlin and Elliott are searching for their first titles.
MORE: Denny Hamlin discusses his approach to title race
The current lineup 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 Phoenix and how it was set without qualifying.
Who won the pole for the NASCAR race at Phoenix?
Chase Elliott, who won last weekend at Martinsville, holds the pole position for the Championship 4 at Phoenix. The 24-year-old could become the second-youngest champion in NASCAR history, behind only Jeff Gordon.
Next to Elliott on the front row will be Joey Logano, who has been one of Elliott’s main rivals this year. Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin will line up third and fourth, respectively.
Below is the formula for how the Cup Series field was set at Phoenix:
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 Phoenix
The starting lineup for Sunday’s race at Phoenix was determined by NASCAR’s 2020 formula for setting lineups in races without qualifying. The procedure has been used through the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
The formula produced this starting lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Phoenix:
(P) Playoff driver.
