Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading…
" />

NASCAR Cup qualifying for Coca-Cola 600 canceled  

by racedaysaeditor | Posted on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service

CONCORD, N.C.—Saturday’s Qualifying session for the Coca-Cola 600 has been canceled because of continued adverse weather at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Hendrick 1100 Chevrolet, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Accordingly, NASCAR Cup Series leader Tyler Reddick will start from the pole position (based on metrics) in NASCAR’s longest race (6 p.m. ET Sunday on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Reddick’s best finish on the 1.5-mile Charlotte oval is fourth in the rain-shortened 2024 Coke 600.

Ty Gibbs will start from the second position on the outside of the front row, with Watkins Glen winner Shane van Gisbergen and Glen runner-up Michael McDowell making up the second row.

Defending race winner Ross Chastain will start 27th.

“It used to be the Coke 600 qualifying was not really all that important, because it was such a long race,” said 2020 Coca-Cola 600 winner Brad Keselowski, who will start 26th.

“Now it’s probably even more important than any other race because you’re guaranteed to have a number of yellow flag pit stops, and if you don’t qualify well, your pit selection is really problematic and can keep you from having a good day.”

About the Author