Larson Starts First in Crucial Chase Race
Kyle Larson is set to lead the field to the green flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway after being awarded the pole position for Sunday’s Bank of America 400. With rain forcing NASCAR to cancel Saturday’s qualifying session, the starting lineup was determined using the series’ established metric formula.
Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, will start first in an important race as the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase continues. The pole gives the championship leader a valuable opportunity to take control early and strengthen his position in the title fight.
Chase Briscoe Joins Larson on the Front Row
Chase Briscoe will start second in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota after winning last weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With two of the series’ strongest recent performers starting side by side, the opening laps could feature an intense battle for the lead.
Tyler Reddick will start third, followed by Ryan Blaney in fourth and Austin Cindric in fifth. William Byron, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top 10.
The starting order places several Chase contenders near the front, making track position especially important as drivers continue battling for the championship.
Larson Looks to Keep His Championship Momentum
Larson enters the Charlotte weekend in strong form after finishing second at Las Vegas. He has been one of the most consistent drivers throughout the Chase and currently leads the championship standings.
The California native also has a history of success at Charlotte, having won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2021. However, Sunday’s 400-mile event presents a different challenge, with drivers needing to manage tire wear, traffic and changing track conditions throughout the race.
The cancellation of qualifying means teams will head into Sunday’s event without the usual opportunity to fine-tune their cars during a qualifying run. Larson and his team will need to make the most of their starting position once the race begins.
The Bank of America 400 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Larson now has the first starting spot, but he will need a strong performance over the full distance to turn the pole into another major victory in his championship pursuit.