Wet conditions put a damper on the qualifying session for the Citizen Soldier 400 at Dover International Speedway. This means the grid for Sunday’s 400-lap Chase elimination round is set by, not the Chase standings, but that of the NASCAR Spring Cup Series driver standings.
The first 16 spots are occupied by ‘Chasers’, with the bottom four of Jamie McMurray, Austin Dillon, Tony Stewart and Chris Buescher starting 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th.
Brad Keselowski and Chase standings leader Martin Truex Jr. will lead the field to green. Keselowski, the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford driver, currently sits third in the playoff standings with 2087 points, just behind Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick and Truex Jr. Keselowski won this race back the fall of 2012, the same year he won the Sprint Cup championship. Truex Jr. is looking for his second victory on the one-mile Delaware speedway. The No. 78 Furntiture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet driver won in Dover back in the spring of 2007.
Kyle Busch is currently holding down fourth in the Chase with 2085 points. The No. 18 M&M’s Core Toyota driver will roll off third on Sunday. The defending Sprint Cup champion won previously on the ‘Monster Mile’ back in June of 2008.
Harvick, last year’s fall Dover winner and 2014 Sprint Cup titlist will take the green flag in the sixth position. The No. 4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet driver has already clinched a spot in the next round of the Chase with a win at New Hamsphire a week ago.
Although the session was rained out, 40 drivers were on the beginning roster so no one was sent home.
The Citizen Soldier 400 begins at 12:00 PM ET Sunday afternoon on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90. When the checkered flag waves, we will know who survives and moves on to the ‘Round of 12’ and who has been eliminated.
Top 10 Starters
1. Brad Keselowski
2 Martin Truex Jr.
3. Kyle Busch
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Joey Logano
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Jimmie Johnson
9.Chase Elliott
10. Carl Edwards
I didn’t decide I wanted to pursue a career in NASCAR until the summer of 2012. I’m not a wrench head or strong enough for a pit crew so media was the next best thing. At the beginning of 2013, I started going to races and making connections within the sport. I also studied Motorsports Management at Sports Management Worldwide. Although I love what happens on the track, I’ve always been interested in what goes on behind the scenes and I’ve gotten to know many people throughout the radio, TV and digital media world.
While I’m a long time writer, 2015 was my first year actually covering the sport with www.nascarfemale.com . I also became a media correspondent for Raceline. I’ve been able to help the TV show gain recognition on social media. My current goal is to acquire more experience in covering NASCAR and move up the media ladder. Outside of motorsports, I have been an equine-sports statistician for 16 years.
I currently reside in Gillette, WY where I’m still involved with horses. I enjoy riding them, rodeo, swimming, traveling and meeting people.
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