Just Now: Inclement Weather Forces Cancellation of Qualifying at Dover, Elevating Chase Elliott to Pole Position via Metric Formula…
**Dover, Del. —** Uncooperative weather has once again played spoiler in the NASCAR Cup Series weekend, as persistent rain at Dover Motor Speedway forced officials to cancel Saturday’s scheduled qualifying session for the **NASCAR Cup Series race**. As a result, the starting grid has been set by the series’ performance-based metric formula, placing **Chase Elliott** on the pole for Sunday’s race.
The formula, which combines factors such as a driver’s finishing position from the previous race, team owner points standings, and fastest lap rankings, favored Elliott, who has been building momentum in recent weeks. This will mark Elliott’s **first pole of the 2025 season**, and it positions the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet out front at a track where clean air and track position are often crucial.
Rain had been threatening the Dover area throughout the morning, and with no viable window for drying the track in time for qualifying, NASCAR made the call to cancel the session just hours before the green flag would have flown. While frustrating for fans and teams alike, the decision follows established protocols for weather-impacted weekends.
Elliott expressed confidence heading into the race:
> “Obviously, we’d rather earn it on track, but we’ll take it. Dover is a place where track position matters, and starting up front gives us a great shot. The car’s been fast, and we’re excited to go to work.”
Joining Elliott on the front row will be **Ryan Blaney**, followed by **Denny Hamlin**, **William Byron**, and **Martin Truex Jr.**, rounding out the top five. With weather expected to improve for Sunday, drivers and teams will now shift focus toward strategy, tire wear, and managing the concrete monster that is Dover.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sunday at 2:00 PM ET on FOX, as the Cup Series continues its march toward the playoffs—with Chase Elliott now in prime position to control the opening laps.
