With intense heat races and the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) setting the field for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, all eyes are on the final few spots available for Sunday’s main event. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs are the key drivers in the provisional equation, with each outcome shaping who gets a second chance to race.
How the Points Provisional Works
In the event that a driver fails to qualify through the heat races or LCQ, NASCAR awards a points provisional to the highest-ranked driver in last season’s point standings who hasn’t yet secured a spot. This safety net ensures that some of the sport’s top stars aren’t left on the sidelines.
Here’s how the scenario plays out:
• If Ryan Blaney does NOT finish in the top two in the LCQ, he will receive the points provisional and advance to the main event.
• If Blaney DOES finish in the top two, then the provisional shifts to Kyle Larson, assuming he fails to make it in on speed.
• If BOTH Blaney and Larson finish in the top two, then the provisional goes to Ty Gibbs as the next eligible driver in line.
What This Means for Sunday’s Field
This rule adds another layer of drama to an already chaotic Bowman Gray event. Blaney, Larson, and Gibbs will have to decide whether to race all out for a top-two spot in the LCQ or play it safe and hope the points provisional falls their way.
At a track as unpredictable as The Madhouse, nothing is guaranteed. Will Blaney and Larson lock themselves in and push Gibbs into a must-win situation? Or will chaos unfold, forcing NASCAR to reshuffle the final grid?
One thing is certain: the fight for the final spots in the Cook Out Clash is far from over.
