Metric-ton impact Analysis: Why NASCAR's performance qualifying metric has mattered in early portion of 2026 Chase

What this means

Four races through The Chase presented by Mobil 1, Mother Nature has permitted just one time-trial qualifying session to set the NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup. In the other three events, teams have had to rely on something entirely different to set the starting grid: the metric. That term has been used a lot lately because it’s been needed so prevalently, thanks to inclement weather that washed out practice and qualifying at Darlington Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway.