Denny Hamlin Secures Pole Position for Cracker Barrel 400 After Rain Cancellations

LEBANON, Tenn. (AP) — Denny Hamlin will take the pole position for the Cracker Barrel 400 on Sunday night, following the cancellation of qualifying due to intermittent rain at Nashville Superspeedway. This marks the second consecutive event where rain has disrupted qualifying, forcing officials to temporarily halt activities and instruct fans to vacate the grandstands. Additional rain is also predicted for Sunday.

With qualifying scrapped, the starting grid was determined by NASCAR's regulations. Hamlin, piloting the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is set to start in the top spot for the second time this season. He will be joined in the front row by current points leader Tyler Reddick, who will drive the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Reddick had also secured the pole position last week at the Coca-Cola 600, as that qualifying session was similarly canceled due to wet conditions.

Daniel Suarez, last week's race winner, will start from the second row alongside Christopher Bell. Joe Gibbs Racing has made a strong showing, with three of their drivers, including Ty Gibbs and Kyle Larson, comprising six of the top starting positions.