Reddick to start up front for Southern 500 after lightning cancels Darlington qualifying

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Tyler Reddick will start from the pole in the Southern 500 after lightning canceled qualifying at Darlington Raceway on Saturday.

Reddick won a season-high five times this season, including the Darlington race in March, and starts NASCAR's playoffs as the No. 3 seed behind regular-season champion Denny Hamlin and 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney at No. 2.

Reddick welcomed the qualifying rainout, knowing how well he and his Trackhouse Racing No. 45 Toyota ran in the spring, calling it a “best-case scenario."

“With how we ran last spring, we're rock solid and expect more of the same tomorrow,” he said.

Daniel Suarez, also in the 16-field playoffs, starts on the front row next to Reddick.

Chase drivers Ryan Preece and Hamlin are third and fourth on the grid.

The others competing in the 10-race Chase are Austin Cindric (sixth), Chase Briscoe (seventh), Christopher Bell (11th), Joey Logano (13th), Bubba Wallace (17th), Chase Elliott (18th), William Byron (20th), Blaney (24th), Kyle Larson (25th), Ty Gibbs (28th), Carson Hocevar (34th) and Chris Buescher (35th).

The field was set by NASCAR metrics, with 70% determined from last week's Daytona results and 30% based on owner's points.

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