Talladega, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Persistent rain forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying for the Sprint Cup Series on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway.
Aric Almirola will start on the pole for Sunday's 500-mile race, since he had the fastest lap in Friday's first practice session at this 2.66-mile track. Jeff Burton will start alongside Almirola on the front row.
Marcos Ambrose, who is Almirola's teammate at Richard Petty Motorsports, will roll off third, followed by Martin Truex Jr. and Roush Fenway Racing drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle.
David Ragan, who won at Talladega in May, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears will start seventh through 10th, respectively.
Edwards, Biffle and Earnhardt are in the Chase. Matt Kenseth, the current points leader and winner of last year's fall race at Talladega, will start 12th, one spot behind Jimmie Johnson, who trails Kenseth by just four points.
The other Chase drivers and their starting positions include: Ryan Newman (17th), Joey Logano (18th), Jeff Gordon (19th), Clint Bowyer (20th), Kyle Busch (27th), Kasey Kahne (28th), Kurt Busch (30th) and Kevin Harvick (33rd).
Sam Hornish Jr. was the only driver who did not make the starting field.
The Camping World Truck Series is racing at Talladega on Saturday, which is scheduled to start shortly after 4 p.m. ET.
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