NASCAR Dover 2017: Lineup, starting grid for Delaware 400

Martin Truex Jr. has already secured a spot to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup playoffs and will start in the pole position in Sunday’s elimination race, the Apache Warrior 400 from Dover International Speedway.

Truex, who won two weeks ago in Illinois to clinch a spot in the next round of the playoffs, was the regular season points leader and has five wins on the year. He won this race in 2016, and this year he captured the pole position with a top qualifying speed of 160.664 mph on Friday:

“We’ve done a good job of just staying focused and getting through all that stuff and continuing to come to the race track and perform, because you never know when it’s going to end or when things could change,” Truex said. “So just try to take advantage of the opportunities right now and it’s certainly been a lot of fun. But, the more you win, the more success you have, the more you want it.”

Kyle Busch, who won last week in New Hampshire to also secure a spot in the Round of 12, starts in second position on Sunday, sharing the first row with Truex.

The 16-driver playoff field will be trimmed to 12 after Sunday’s race with the bottom four in points eliminated. In addition to race winners Truex and Busch, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski have clinched spots in the next round based on points. Larson starts in third position on Sunday, with Keselowski 16th.

Among those on the bubble to advance is Ryan Newman, who starts in the eighth position on Sunday after a qualifying speed of 159.454 mph on Friday.

“Ryan Newman, somehow or someway, always finds a way to get through these rounds. He pointed his way all the way to Homestead, and almost had a championship a few years ago,” said NBC Sports analyst Dale Jarrett. “I know they haven’t been that strong, but this is the type of race and track where he and Luke Lambert can pull some magic.”

NBCSN will televise Sunday’s race beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with Rick Allen calling the race alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. Online streaming is available through NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.