Sprint Cup Qualifying at Dover called off, field set by points

Final race of the Field of 16 will now be run with Chase hopefuls filling up the first eight rows with Brad Keselowski on the pole.

Overnight rain washed away all the tire buildup on the mile track at Dover International Speedway, but when Sprint Cup drivers were able to get in some practice late Friday morning, fingers were cross that qualifying would go in as scheduled despite a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Well it wasn’t heavy rain that affected on-track activities, but a pesky drizzle that kept cars covered and jet dryers on the track. Just before 4:30 p.m., about an hour after its scheduled start, NASCAR officials called off qualifying. As such, the field for Sunday’s Citizen Solider 400 at the Monster Mile will be set by the rule book putting Brad Keselowski on the pole.

In a way it is good news for those drivers who are at the tail end of the Field of 16 because they get to start in the first eight rows, an advantage at a small track like Dover. Some could have had better starting spots had qualifying taken place, but they could have landed far back instead. It is a moot point now.

Four drivers will be eliminated after Sunday’s race as a dozen hopefuls will start the second phase of the Chase for the Sprint Cup next week at the home of many drivers, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NOTES:
Jeff Gordon will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet in place of Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is out for the season recuperating from concussion-like symptoms.

Here is how the field will line up for the Citizen Soldier 400:
1 – Brad Keselowski
2 – Martin Truex Jr.
3 – Kyle Busch
4 – Matt Kenseth
5 – Joey Logano
6 – Kevin Harvick
7 – Denny Hamlin
8 – Jimmie Johnson
9 – Chase Elliott
10 – Carl Edwards
11 – Kurt Busch
12 – Kyle Larson
13 – Jamie McMurray
14 – Austin Dillon
15 – Tony Stewart
16 – Chris Buescher
17 – Kasey Kahne
18 – Jeff Gordon
19 – Ryan Newman
20 – Ryan Blaney
21 – AJ Allmendinger
22 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
23 – Trevor Bayne
24 – Danica Patrick
25 – Greg Biffle
26 – Paul Menard
27 – Aric Almirola
28 – Clint Boyer
29 – Casey Mears
30 – Ty Dillon
31 – Landon Cassill
32 – David Ragan
33 – Regan Smith
34 – Brian Scott
35 – Matt DiBenedetto
36 – Timmy Hill
37 – Michael Annett
38 – Jeffrey Earnhardt
39 – Reed Sorenson
40 –  Josh Wise

Next: Ranking every NASCAR track

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the Citizen Soldier 400 and take the checkered flag?