Weather Cancels Bristol Qualifying, Larson Gets Pole

Lightning and rain canceled Friday's practice and qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway, so NASCAR set the grid for Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Night Race by its performance-based formula. Kyle Larson starts on the pole, Joey Logano second, Chase leader Denny Hamlin third, William Byron fourth and Carson Hocevar fifth. Larson is nine points behind Hamlin after winning last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. Larson said he always feels confident at Bristol and expects a strong weekend, citing a return to form with a fifth at Darlington and the Gateway win, while noting the team still has room to reach dominance. Daniel Suárez, starting 28th, said he is awaiting his first child and hopes the baby does not come until Sunday or Monday. No contested claims among outlets; this is not a politically framed story. The Night Race runs Saturday evening.