Chase Elliott starting on the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Chase Elliott will be the pole-sitter for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Aric Almirola will follow in the front row thanks to a random draw conducted Thursday evening for the starting order.

Elliott finished 22nd last weekend at Bristol behind Joey Logano after the two drivers battled for first on the final laps of Sunday’s Supermarket Heroes 500. Brad Keselowski started on the pole and became the last-minute winner after Elliott ran into the side of Logano, forcing both drivers from the lead. Elliott later took the blame for the incident.

Now, it appears the No. 9 driver will have an advantage as he attempts to redeem himself in his home state. He is also participating in Saturday’s Truck Series race at the same intermediate track along with other Cup drivers Kyle Busch and Timmy Hill.

The Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 lineup was determined by live draw on FS1. The first 12 positions were determined by a random draw among teams in those positions in team owner points. Positions 13-24 and 25-36 were also grouped and conducted by random draw among charter teams in those positions in owner points. Positions 37-40 were filled out by open, non-chartered teams in order of owner points.

Sunday’s race starts at 3 p.m. on FOX.

Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 Starting Lineup

Alexandra Andrejev

The Charlotte Observer

NASCAR and Charlotte FC beat reporter Alex Andrejev joined The Observer in January 2020 following an internship at The Washington Post. She is a two-time APSE award winner for her NASCAR beat coverage and National Motorsports Press Association award winner. She is the host of McClatchy’s podcast “Payback” about women’s soccer. Support my work with a digital subscription