Talladega: rain sets the grid

- Rain wiped out qualifying at Talladega, so NASCAR set the starting lineup with Tyler Reddick on pole for this Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500, changing the normal competitive dynamics. - Sporting News noted it’s Reddick’s fifth pole of the 2026 season, and NASCAR’s new stage‑length changes could split teams’ strategies on fuel windows, pit timing, and pack positioning. - The weather, lineup setting, and stage tweak make Talladega highly unpredictable and boost momentum stories like Todd Gilliland’s top‑20 streak. (nascar.com) (sportingnews.com)