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NASCAR Playoffs at Dover: Gander Outdoors 400 starting grid, lineup

By Nick Tylwalk

DOVER, DE - OCTOBER 06: Kyle Busch driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota waits out the rain for Saturday's first practice session for the Gander Outdoors 400 on October 06, 2018, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, DE. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DOVER, DE - OCTOBER 06: Kyle Busch driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota waits out the rain for Saturday's first practice session for the Gander Outdoors 400 on October 06, 2018, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, DE. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The field was set by points for the playoff race at the Monster Mile, meaning the Big 3 are starting the race up front.

There’s been a lot of buzz over the last day or so about Kyle Larson and the speed he’s shown in practice for the Gander Outdoors 400 at Dover International Speedway. There’s just one problem as the second round of the NASCAR Playoffs begin: He’s going to have to pass all three of the Big 3 if he wants to win.

Larson has historically been very quick at the Monster Mile, but with rain washing away Saturday qualifying for the Cup Series drivers (it did let up later to allow the XFINITY Series race to take place), the starting grid was set by points. Since the playoff order just reset after the final Round of 16 race last week, that means the drivers who have done the best all season long are the beneficiaries.

Hence, we’ll see Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. in the top three spots when the green flag drops, with late season hero Brad Keselowski stating fourth. Larson starts 10th, but of course, all 12 playoff contenders still in the hunt are in the top 12 spots.

Next. How Ryan Blaney survived to win at the Charlotte ROVAL. dark

Coverage of the Gander Outdoors 400 will begin at 2:00 p.m. on NBCSN, with the green flag scheduled for approximately, 2:16 p.m. We’ll have full coverage of the race from Dover as always right here on FanSided.com.

2018 Gander Outdoors 400 starting grid for Dover International Speedway

  1. Kyle Busch – No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota
  2. Kevin Harvick – No. 4 Busch Outdoors Ford
  3. Martin Truex Jr. – No. 78 5-Hour Energy/Bass Pro Shops Toyota
  4. Brad Keselowski – No. 2 Wurth Ford
  5. Clint Bowyer – No. 14 Haas VF1/Rush Truck Centers Ford
  6. Joey Logano – No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford
  7. Kurt Busch – No. 41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Ford
  8. Ryan Blaney – No. 12 PPG Ford
  9. Chase Eliott – No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
  10. Kyle Larson – No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet
  11. Aric Almirola – No. 10 Smithfield Ford
  12. Alex Bowman – No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet
  13. Jimmie Johnson – No. 48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet
  14. Austin Dillon – No. 3 AAA Chevrolet
  15. Denny Hamlin – No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota
  16. Erik Jones – No. 20 Craftsman Toyota
  17. Ryan Newman – No. 31 Waste Masters Solutions/22 in 22 Chevrolet
  18. Paul Menard – No. 21 Menards/Tarkett Ford
  19. Daniel Suarez- No. 19 ARRIS Toyota
  20. Jamie McMurray – No. 1 GEARWRENCH Chevrolet
  21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. –  No. 17 Fastenal Ford
  22. William Byron – No. 24 Hendrick Autoguard Chevrolet
  23. Chris Buescher – No. 37 Scott Products Chevrolet
  24. AJ Allmendinger – No. 47 Kroger ClickList Chevrolet
  25. Regan Smith – No. 95 Dumont JETS Chevrolet
  26. David Ragan – No. 38 MDS Transport Ford
  27. Michael McDowell – No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford
  28. Matt Kenseth – No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford
  29. Bubba Wallace – No. 43 World Wide Technology Chevrolet
  30. Ty Dillon – No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet
  31. Matt DiBenedetto – No. 32 Can-Am/Wholey Ford
  32. Ross Chastain – No. 15 TBA Chevrolet
  33. Corey LaJoie – No. 72 TBD Chevrolet
  34. Landon Cassill – No. 00 StarCom Fiber Chevrolet
  35. JJ Yeley – No. 23 TBA Toyota
  36. B.J. McLeod – No. 51 Jacob Companies Ford
  37. Jeffrey Earnhardt – No. 96 Xtreme Concepts/iK9 Toyota
  38. Timmy Hill – No. 66 Ternio Toyota
  39. Harrison Rhodes – No. 52 TBD Chevrolet
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