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.

1. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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2. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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3. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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4. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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5. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford

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6. Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Team Penske Ford

© AP Photo/Butch Dill

7. Kyle Busch, No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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8. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford

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9. Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

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10. Kurt Busch, No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

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11. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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12. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

13. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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14. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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15. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford

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16. Ross Chastain, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

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17. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota

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18. Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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19. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford

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20. Daniel Suárez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

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21. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford

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22. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

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23. Aric Almirola, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

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24. Cole Custer, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

© James Gilbert/Getty Images

25. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet

© AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

26. Ryan Preece, No. 37 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet

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27. Ryan Newman, No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford

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28. Erik Jones, No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet

© AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

29. Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

30. BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

31. Cody Ware, No. 51 Petty Ware Racing Chevrolet

© James Gilbert/Getty Images

32. Anthony Alfredo, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

33. Josh Bilicki, No. 52 Rick Ware Racing Ford

© James Gilbert/Getty Images

34. Joey Gase, No. 53 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

35. Justin Haley, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

© Chris Graythen/Getty Images

36. Quin Houff, No. 00 StarCom Racing Chevrolet

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

37. Garrett Smithley, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet

© Chris Graythen/Getty Images

38. Timmy Hill, No. 66 Motorsports Business Management Toyota

© Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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