Heavy rain cancels Dover qualifying

Matt Kenseth will start from pole position at Dover without even turning a wheel as all of Friday’s track activities were cancelled due to weather.

The starting positions are set on championship positions.

A massive storm cell that is part of Hurricane Joaquin in the Atlantic Ocean has thrown all US sport on the eastern seaboard into chaos as rain lashed Dover International Speedway.

With all but two events in the NASCAR schedule running on oval tracks, any rain means that no running can take place. With conditions set-in for the coming days a real possibility is that the race could be further postponed. Some suggesting is that it could run after next week’s event at Charlotte.

This would have major implications on the Chase for the Sprint Cup, as the bottom four drivers in the top-16 in points were to be eliminated after the first three races of what is known as the ‘Challenger Round’. Amongst those is defending champion Kevin Harvick.

The NASCAR rule book states that four drivers will be eliminated from the postseason after the 29th race of the season. If Dover were to get postponed, and if the scheduled October 10 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway takes place as scheduled, then the Charlotte event would be the 29th race of the season and therefore act as the final race of the Challenger Round.

STARTING LINE-UP: AAA 400 – Dover International Speedway