It’s Florida in August… so we probably should have expected some rain, right?
Unfortunately, whether it was expected or not, the precipitation made it to Daytona International Speedway, ultimately canceling NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying ahead of Saturday’s Wawa 250.
Per the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rulebook, the starting lineup for the 100-lap contest will be set using the performance metric – the same metric used to determine the order for qualifying.
After a runner-up finish at Watkins Glen, AJ Allmendinger will lead the field to the green flag in Friday’s event, which marks the 23rd race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Noah Gragson will start from second, with Sammy Smith, Sam Mayer, and Josh Berry completing the top-five. Riley Herbst, Sheldon Creed, Ty Gibbs, Jeremy Clements, and Landon Cassill round out the top-10.
Justin Haley – competing in a one-off event for Kaulig Racing in a fourth entry – will start from last place on the field, after using a Past Winners Provisional to get into the event.
With 43 cars entered for 38 spots, five entries were sent packing from Daytona International Speedway early, without even getting the chance to asset themselves as contenders.
Joe Nemechek (Sam Hunt Racing), CJ McLaughlin (RSS Racing), Tim Viens (Mike Harmon Racing), Ronnie Bassett Jr. (Bassett Racing), and Josh Williams (DGM Racing) all failed to qualify for the event.