For the first time since March 7, the NASCAR Cup Series drivers qualified their respective vehicles to determine a starting lineup. See, shortly following the March 8 race at the Phoenix Raceway, the COVID-19 pandemic became real. By March 13, all sporting leagues around the world were shut down – NASCAR included.

NASCAR was the first major sport to return though. Last Sunday, over 6 million people tuned into the first race in over 10 weeks. On Wednesday, over 2 million more tuned in for the first Cup race on a Wednesday since 1984.

Both races occurred at the Darlington Raceway and both saw several changes made for them in compassion to before. No practice was held. Neither was qualifying. Both were also one day shows as a result.

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Same can be said for the foreseeable future. NASCAR has released a revised schedule through June 21 and other than tonight’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 pm ET/FOX/PRN), we won’t have either practice nor qualifying taking place either.

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This event is rare. It’s a crown jewel. It’s a home town race for the teams at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. That’s why they will qualify.

In that session, Kurt Busch earned the pole for tonight’s race by a late heater of a lap. Busch, netted his 28th career Busch Pole Award with a speed of 181.269 mph in his No. 1 Chevrolet. Its his first pole since joining Chip Ganassi Racing too.

He will be joined on the front row by Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time champion turned in an early lap of 181.214 mph in his No. 48 Chevrolet nearly earning his 37th career pole. Also, Johnson won the pole for his first Coke 600 start in 2002 and will start second in his last. He hasn’t won a race in his last 102 starts but has 3 straight top 10 finishes at Charlotte and five in his last six.

Row 2 is also a Ganassi and Hendrick shared row with Chase Elliott (181.002 mph) and Matt Kenseth (180.923 mph) rolling off third and fourth respectively.

Elliott, has two top four finishes at Charlotte in his last three tries while Kenseth is making his first ‘600 start since 2018. It’s also the race he scored his first career win as a Cup rookie back in 2000.

Row 3 is an all RCR row with rookie Tyler Reddick (180.905 mph) starting fifth and 2017 Coke 600 winner Austin Dillon (180.741 mph) rolling off sixth.

Chevy swept the top six starting spots with Joey Logano being the top Ford in seventh. Martin Truex Jr will start next to him in eighth as the top qualifying Toyota. Truex, beat Logano in last years race.

We all knew that entering this weekend both HMS and Joe Gibbs Racing would most likely have the cars to beat. HMS arguably has the most speed in the Cup Series so far this season. JGR has struggled in some areas, but when the conditions are at night, they’re at their best. Both wins in 2020 have been under the lights. Toyota has won 4 of the last 5 on the 1.5 mile oval, including two in-a-row in the Coke 600.

All four HMS drivers will start in the top 12. All four JGR cars will start in the top 14.

A rare stat though is, starting position hasn’t mattered much lately for the ‘600 mile race. Four of the last five race winners have come from a starting spot outside of the top 10 including three of the last four coming from Row 7 or worst. That’s good for the Fords since they have just two cars coming from the top 10. In fact, other than the two Penske cars, the next best Ford is 18th. They haven’t won on the Charlotte oval since 2002.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Fords will start 20th (Clint Bowyer), 22nd (Kevin Harvick), 28th (Cole Custer) and 39th (Aric Almirola).

Almirola, spun exiting Turn 4 and didn’t get a good lap. That’s why he’s in the back. He’ll be joined by Matt DiBenedetto who got into the wall in the same spot. DiBenedetto, will go to a backup car as a result.

Coca-Cola 600 Starting Lineup

Row 1: Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson

Row 2: Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth

Row 3: Tyler Reddick R, Austin Dillon

Row 4: Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr.

Row 5: Brad Keselowski, William Byron

Row 6: Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman

Row 7: Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones

Row 8: Christopher Bell R, Ty Dillon

Row 9: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Newman

Row 10: Chris Buescher, Clint Bowyer

Row 11: Ross Chastain, Kevin Harvick

Row 12: Bubba Wallace, Corey LaJoie

Row 13: John Hunter Nemechek R, Ryan Blaney

Row 14: Michael McDowell, Cole Custer R

Row 15: Ryan Preece, Quin Houff R

Row 16: Gray Gaulding, Timmy Hill

Row 17: JJ Yeley, Brennan Poole R

Row 18: BJ McLeod, Daniel Suarez

Row 19: Garrett Smithley R, Joey Gase

Row 20: Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto