If you’re looking at a NASCAR entry list and wondering why your favorite driver is buried at the bottom of the qualifying queue, or why the TV broadcast keeps talking about "the metric," you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s confusing.
As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Cup Series is in the middle of a massive transitional week. While the cars aren't on track at Daytona just yet, the "order of operations" for how they’ll line up for the upcoming season has just been set in stone by the rulebook updates released yesterday.
The nascar qualifying order today is no longer just a random draw from a hat. It’s a math problem that would make a high school teacher sweat.
Why the Order Actually Matters
Most casual fans think qualifying is just "show up and drive fast." But in modern NASCAR, where track position is basically gold, when you go out on the track is everything.
If you go out first, the track is "green" and slippery. If you go out last, the track has more rubber laid down, which usually means more grip. In 2026, the series has leaned even harder into the Performance Metric system to decide who gets that advantage.
Basically, NASCAR wants to reward the teams that performed well in the previous race. If you won last week, you’re likely qualifying late this week. If you crashed out on lap five, get ready to be the first car on track.
The Formula Behind the Nascar Qualifying Order Today
They don't just eyeball it. There is a specific formula used for the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series. While we are currently in the off-season window before the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the 2026 rules have clarified exactly how this "metric" is calculated:
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- 15% of the fastest lap time position from the previous race.
- 25% of the driver’s final race finish position.
- 25% of the owner’s final race finish position.
- 35% of the current Owner Points position.
It’s a mouthful. Basically, the lower your total score, the later you qualify. For the start of the 2026 season—specifically for the upcoming events in February—NASCAR uses the 2025 final owner points to fill that 35% bucket until the new season's standings take shape.
The Two-Group Split
For most tracks on the schedule, the field is split into two groups: Group A and Group B.
NASCAR takes the metric scores and puts the "even" numbers in one group and "odd" numbers in the other.
Group 1 (the slower metric cars) goes out first. Then Group 2 (the heavy hitters) follows. The fastest five from each group then move into a final round to battle for the pole. It keeps the heavyweights together and ensures that if track conditions change—say, the sun goes down or a cloud covers the track—the top contenders are all facing the same weather.
What's Different for 2026?
If you've been following the news today, the big story is the return of "The Chase." NASCAR just announced they are ditching the elimination-style playoffs for a 10-race points-based championship battle.
How does this affect the nascar qualifying order today?
Well, in the old system, playoff drivers automatically got qualifying priority. In the 2026 Chase, qualifying will become even more cutthroat because every single point matters. There are no "automatic resets" between rounds anymore. Starting up front means more chances at stage points, and stage points are the only thing that will save you in this new 10-race grind.
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Superspeedways: A Different Beast
Don't expect the metric to matter at Daytona or Talladega. For the Daytona 500 next month, the qualifying order is still a random draw for the single-car sessions. Why? Because at 200 mph, the "track evolution" isn't as big a factor as it is at a place like Martinsville.
At the superspeedways, they want the drama of the draw. It’s one of the few times left where a small team like Spire Motorsports or JTG Daugherty could pull a late number and have a "clean" track for a shot at the front row.
How to Check Your Driver's Spot
If you’re looking for the specific lap-by-lap order for an upcoming race, you usually won’t see it published until Friday morning of a race weekend. NASCAR waits for the final entry list to be official (usually by Wednesday) and then runs the math on Thursday night.
Honestly, the best way to keep track is to look at the "Owner Points" standings. Since that accounts for 35% of the qualifying metric, it’s the biggest indicator of who will be qualifying in the "fast" group.
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Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think the "nascar qualifying order today" is based on the practice speeds from earlier in the day. It isn't. In fact, the order is set before the cars even touch the track for practice.
There’s also a weird rule for "Open" teams (teams without a Charter). These teams often have to qualify first because they don't have the owner points to buffer their metric score. It’s a steep uphill battle for the guys trying to make the show on speed alone.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve and understand the lineup before the announcers even mention it, do this:
- Watch the Owner Points: Follow the "Owner Standings" on the official NASCAR app. This is the "secret sauce" for the qualifying metric.
- Look for the "750 Horsepower" Note: For 2026, many tracks under 1.5 miles are moving back to a 750hp package. This makes qualifying even more vital because passing will be harder, and starting in the top 10 is basically a requirement for a win.
- Check the Entry List: Around Wednesday of each week, the entry list drops. Count the cars; if there are more than 40, someone is going home based on that qualifying order and speed.
- The "New Driver" Penalty: Remember, if a team swaps drivers (like a substitute for an injury), the "driver finish" part of the metric resets to 41. This almost always forces that car to qualify early in the first group.
The nascar qualifying order today is a complex mix of math and momentum. By the time the cars hit the high banks of Daytona for the Duels, the hierarchy will be clear. But for now, it's all about the numbers in the rulebook.