Race Weekend Central

Atlanta Xfinity Qualifying Canceled, Cole Custer Starting from Pole

Due to some light mist with some fog, NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway has been canceled for Feb. 23. The starting lineup for the Rinnai 250 will be set according to the NASCAR rule book.

The NASCAR rule book dictates the starting lineup for the Rinnai 250 will be set primarily by 2018 owners points. Only 37 drivers are entered for the race, so everyone will make the starting field.

Cole Custer will lead the field to the green flag in his No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. Because MBM Motorsports purchased the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing 2018 owners points, Chad Finchum will start in second place.

The remaining starting top five are Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, and Austin Cindric.

Of the drivers entered, Ryan Preece is the only Cup Series regular. Preece starts the race sixth.

In addition to Xfinity Series qualifying and the race, the Gander Outdoors Truck Series will also qualify and race on the same day. Despite the weather forcing NASCAR to cancel Xfinity Series qualifying, NASCAR hopes to run the rest of the days’ activities on time.

Rinnai 250 Starting Lineup

The Rinnai 250 starts at 2 p.m. ET TV coverage will be provided by Fox Sports 1.

About the author

Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site's ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.

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