How race order, pit stall assignment will be set for Wednesday’s Blue-Emu 500

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to action Wednesday for its third midweek race since restarting last month. The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 gets going at 7 p.m. ET and will air on FS1.

NASCAR has removed qualifying runs for the time being as they look to protect drivers and crew during the Covid-19 pandemic. To figure out the starting grid for each race through at least June 21st, there will be random draws that account for where each driver stands in the points race. Here’s how it works.

• Positions 1-12: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
• Positions 13-24: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
• Positions 25-36: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
• Positions 37-40: Open teams in order of owners points

Ryan Blaney claimed the pole in the drawing, marking his seventh start in the first position. He finished fourth last Sunday at the QuikTrip 500. Aric Almirola will join him on the front row, with this being the second straight race Almirola is in the second spot. Joey Logano is third for a second straight race and is joined by Clint Bowyer.

DraftKings Sportsbook has installed Blaney with the seventh best odds, at +1000, while Almirola is tied for 13th at +4000. Kevin Harvick took home the checkered flag in Atlanta this past Sunday, and is right behind Blaney at +1100 odds while starting in the tenth position. Kyle Busch is the favorite at +450.

The pit stall assignments will be based on previous race finish for the time being. By winning in Atlanta, Harvick has the first pit assignment, followed by Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Blaney.