NASCAR at Martinsville: Starting lineup for the Xfinity 500, the final playoff elimination race before championship

After Kyle Larson won the last three NASCAR Cup Series playoff races, it should come as no surprise that he’s on the pole for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday (2 p.m. ET, NBC) for the last playoff elimination race before the winner-take-all championship event at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 7.

Larson has won nine races this season — four in the playoffs alone — and is sitting at the top of the playoff standings with just two races left. And because he’s won the first two of three in the Round of 8, he’s the only driver locked into the Championship 4, so the remaining three title contenders will be determined at Martinsville.

NASCAR playoffs guide: Everything you need to know about the postseason format

However, because of the challenges related to racing during the COVID-19 pandemic, most race weekends this season do not include practice or qualifying sessions. That goes for playoff races too, and the playoff drivers will start at the front of the field.

So without qualifying, NASCAR determines the starting lineup with a formula based on these factors:

• 25 percent: Driver’s finishing position from the previous race
• 25 percent: Car owner’s finishing position from the previous race
• 35 percent: Team owner points ranking
• 15 percent: Fastest lap from the previous race

Here’s a look at the starting lineup for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville on Sunday.