Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
William Byron will start on pole by virtue of qualifying being being rained for the second race in a row.
The field was set by practice speeds, so Byron will lead the field to the green for tonight’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after being the quickest in yesterday’s only practice. GMS Racing driver Spencer Gallagher will start second after being the next quickest in practice.
Joining Byron and Gallagher at the front of the field will be Johnny Sauter, Ben Kennedy and Kyle Busch. Busch is making only his second start of the year, and looks to win his second race after winning at Martinsville Speedway in April.
Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez, Daniel Hemric, Matt Tifft and Rico Abreu will round out the top-10.
Last week’s winner Matt Crafton will start deep in the field after being 17th in the lone practice session last night. Joining him near the rear of the field will be Atlanta winner John Hunter Nemechek in 21st.
Four drivers will miss the field as 36 trucks were entered. Austin Theriault will make it the second race in a row the No. 2 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford has failed to qualify after rain washed away qualifying. Caleb Holman, Austin Hill and Jesse Little also join Theriault in missing the race. Little was attempting to make his first start since Homestead last year.
The race is expected to take place right after tonight’s Sprint Showdown, weather permitting. NASCAR has already announced that Sprint Showdown qualifying is cancelled, with the field being set by owner’s points.
If neither race gets in tonight, NASCAR expects to run the Showdown tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. with the Truck race taking place directly after.
