NASCAR Cup Nashville starting lineup: Denny Hamlin on pole as qualifying cancelled

Following a rain-marred weekend around the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR will again set the starting lineup by the metric as rain washed out Nashville Cup qualifying.

Denny Hamlin, who finished second in the Coke 600 and sits second in points, will lead the field to the green flag. He will share the front row with championship leader Tyler Reddick.

Daniel Suarez, who earned a shock win in NASCAR’s longest race, will start third. Christopher Bell will start fourth and Kyle Larson fifth.

The remainder of the top ten will feature Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Joey Logano, and Shane van Gisbergen.

Looking deeper in the field, some notables with work to do on Sunday include Chris Buescher in 22nd, Ryan Preece 28th, Chase Briscoe 31st, Austin Cindric 36th, and Connor Zilisch 38th — last.

Additionally, two former Nashville Cup winners will be starting the 400-miler from very deep in the field, with 2022 race winner Chase Elliott 29th, and 2023 race winner Ross Chastain 35th on the grid.

Corey Heim, who just announced plans to join 23XI full-time in 2027, will start 24th in a fourth entry for the team this weekend.

2026 NASCAR Cup Nashville Starting Lineup

Photos from Nashville – Saturday