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NASCAR Cup SeriesGrid pending

Starting lineup and qualifying

2026 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Starting Lineup & Qualifying Updates — September 6

The NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington starting grid is not official yet. This page will switch from the qualifying guide to confirmed starting positions after the session or NASCAR/ARCA rule-book procedure.

Pole position

Not set

Outside pole

Not set

Field

To be confirmed

NASCAR Cup Series

Race weekend

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Open weekend hub →

Qualifying guide

When the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington starting lineup will be posted

How this grid will be set

Qualifying is listed for the scheduled session time. If the session cannot run, series officials may set the field through the applicable rule-book metric rather than lap speed.

What track position means at Darlington Raceway

Darlington's egg-shaped ends force setup compromise, while its abrasive surface creates tire falloff and the wall threatens a Darlington stripe.

NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington grid watch

Cup teams must balance stage points with the setup and track position needed for the final run. Compare lap-time falloff, four-tire calls and who can run near the wall cleanly. The 2026 Chase has no eliminations, but every point carries to the finale after the one-time reseed. For this event, the season role is Cup Chase race 1 of 10.

Starting-order facts checked against ESPN Core. A post-qualifying inspection or unapproved adjustment can still send a car to the rear without changing its scored starting position.

No official order yet

NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington grid pending

An entry list is not the same as a starting lineup. Drivers are shown here only after start positions are confirmed, so an early or stale feed cannot be mistaken for the race-day grid.

Scheduled qualifying session

Qualifying

Quick answers

NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington starting lineup FAQ

Who is on pole for the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington?

The pole winner has not been confirmed yet.

Who starts on the front row?

The front row will be listed after qualifying or the official field-setting procedure.

How many cars are in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington starting lineup?

The final field size has not been confirmed.

Can the starting lineup change after qualifying?

Yes. Inspection failures, backup cars and unapproved adjustments can send a driver to the rear. The official scored start position may remain unchanged even when the car drops behind the field for the green flag.

How to use this tool

Read the starting grid

  1. 1

    Use Start for the exact grid spot and Row to see which two cars share a row.

  2. 2

    Search a driver, car number or manufacturer to jump straight to that entry.

  3. 3

    Open the race recap after the checkered flag to compare start versus finish.

Race fan notes:
  • An entry list is not a confirmed lineup.
  • A car sent to the rear can retain its original scored starting position.