Ross Chastain’s Cup Qualifying Canceled at North Wilkesboro Due to Weather

Ross Chastain’s hopes for a strong starting spot at North Wilkesboro were dashed on Sunday when Cup Series qualifying was wiped out by heavy rain.

What happened?

Cup Series qualifying at North Wilkesboro Speedway was called off Sunday afternoon after thunderstorms rolled across the track. NASCAR officials confirmed the session was canceled just after 4:30 p.m. ET, leaving teams scrambling to finalize their starting spots for the race. The delay forced officials to set the field based on practice speeds rather than a timed qualifying run.

Why it matters for Ross Chastain

For Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team, the loss of qualifying means they’ll have to rely on Friday’s practice times to lock in a favorable starting position. Chastain entered the weekend looking to rebound after a tough run at Atlanta, where he finished 18th. Starting deeper in the field could make his climb back to the front even steeper in a track where clean air matters.

What comes next?

NASCAR will use practice speeds to determine the starting grid for the race, now set for Monday afternoon. Teams have until then to adjust setups and strategy based on the conditions they’ll face on track. Chastain’s crew chief, Brad Kelnhofer, will need to dial in the No. 1 car quickly to avoid another stumble in traffic.

The Cup Series rolls into North Wilkesboro with the field set by practice, not qualifying, after Sunday’s washout.