The NASCAR Cup Series is preparing to continue its 2026 season with the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, following last weekend’s Daytona 500. This event marks the third consecutive year that NASCAR opens with back-to-back superspeedway races, featuring the 1.54-mile oval at Atlanta, which has been recognized as a superspeedway since its reconfiguration and resurfacing after the 2021 season.
The upcoming Sunday race will be Atlanta’s ninth running as a superspeedway event, underscoring its importance on the NASCAR calendar. The starting lineup was established not through on-track qualifying but instead by the new metric system NASCAR implemented this season to set grid positions in cases such as inclement weather.
Details Behind the Starting Grid Selection
This year, NASCAR utilizes a metric qualifying system that combines previous race finishes, owner points, and fastest lap times, replacing traditional qualifying sessions when necessary. For superspeedways like Atlanta, qualifying typically involves two rounds of single-car runs, with the fastest top 10 drivers advancing to a final shootout to claim pole position. However, Sunday’s qualifying session was canceled due to weather conditions, so the lineup was finalized using the metric formula.
Complete Starting Lineup for the Autotrader 400
The front of the grid is led by Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Joey Logano, behind the wheel of the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske, starts second. Rounding out the top three is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No. 47 Chevrolet fielded by Hyak Motorsports. Below is the full NASCAR Cup Series starting order for Sunday’s race at EchoPark Speedway:
1 – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
2 – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
3 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
4 – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5 – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
6 – Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
7 – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
8 – Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
9 – Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
10 – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
11 – Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
12 – Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
13 – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14 – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
15 – Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
16 – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
17 – Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
18 – Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
19 – A.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
20 – Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
21 – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
22 – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
23 – Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
24 – John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
25 – Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
26 – Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
27 – Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet
28 – Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
29 – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
30 – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
31 – Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
32 – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
33 – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
34 – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
35 – Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
36 – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
37 – B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
38 – J.J. Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Broadcast and Viewing Information
The Autotrader 400 will be broadcast live on Fox starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, February 22. This race serves as the second contest in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, offering fans another intense superspeedway battle following the acclaimed Daytona 500.
For those eager to watch, streaming options like FuboTV offer free trials, ensuring viewers can catch all the essential racing action from EchoPark Speedway.
Significance of the Event and What Lies Ahead
The Autotrader 400 holds strategic weight as a superspeedway race early in the season, often shaping momentum for drivers and teams. The evolving metric qualifying system continues to play a role in race preparations, especially under weather-interrupted scenarios. As the season progresses, performances at Atlanta will influence points standings and playoff positioning, making this race critical for competitors like Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, and Chase Elliott, among others.
With strong entries from teams such as 23XI Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Joe Gibbs Racing, the field is packed with established contenders and emerging talents like Connor Zilisch and Carson Hocevar. Fans can expect strategic drafting, high-speed duels, and thrilling competition that characterize the NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway events.
