Overview
- Tyler Reddick earned pole with a 29.072-second lap, joined on the front row by Bubba Wallace, with Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski completing the top five.
- NASCAR is using its short-track configuration at Darlington—750 horsepower, a 3-inch rear spoiler and a simplified rear diffuser/reduced underbody—to cut downforce and increase sliding.
- Goodyear warned that drivers must manage wear and teams must be precise on strategy, with lap-time falloff forecast around 4–5 seconds and warm temperatures expected to worsen grip.
- Drivers including Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe predict a ‘wild card’ race with spins and heavy falloff, while others like Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell expect more passing under the tougher package.
- NASCAR allotted 12 tire sets per team (10 for the race) and declined requests for extra tires and added brake cooling, with officials saying the planned uncertainty should improve the racing product.