It began to rain shortly after 2L00 p.m. on Friday and did not stop before Sprint Cup qualifying, where NASCAR was forced to cancel the three round format. Based off of practice speeds Friday morning, Kevin Harvick was awarded the pole for the 400 mile event.

The last time the Cup Series ran at Dover, Harvick led 355 laps en route to securing a Chase birth into the second round of the Chase. On Friday, it was a lap of 165.145 mph that secured the pole for the No. 4 car. Had that lap been ran in qualifying it would have set a new track record.

“That definitely changes your approach,” Harvick said of the possibility of rain. “That’s what the forecast looked like all week and we just decided to come with qualifying trim.”

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will line up second after having one of his better practices of the year. At a lap of 164.707 mph it will be his best start since he was awarded the pole at Daytona last summer. The qualifying for that event was also postponed due to rain.

“Hopefully we can get some practice in tomorrow and work on the race setup a bit,” said Earnhardt.

The Joe Gibbs Racing duo of Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards will start alongside in Row 2. Each driver has a victory on the concrete at Dover and both have already clinched a spot in the Chase this season.

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will round out the top five, running a lap in practice at 163.815 mph.

The other two JGR cars will lineup inside of the top 10, Denny Hamlin in sixth and Matt Kenseth in 10th.

Chase Elliott is the highest starting rookie in 13th. While fellow Rookie of the Year competitor Brian Scott was the only driver to make a race run in practice. He will start 17th on Sunday.

10-time Dover winner, Jimmie Johnson will start from 21st, with Joey Logano alongside in 22nd. Other notable drivers starting toward the rear are Jamie McMurray 24th, Danica Patrick 31st and Tony Stewart 34th.

There are two practice sessions on Saturday to prepare for the AAA 400 Drive for Autism. Johnson is the defending winner of the event.

Dustin Albino