Kyle Larson to Start at Front After NASCAR Martinsville Qualifying Canceled

Rainy weather in Virginia caused qualifying for Sunday's STP 500 race to be canceled. Kyle Larson benefits from Friday's conditions, as he will start from the pole position. 

Per NASCAR.com, owner standings dictated Larson and Chase Elliott comprise the front row.  

Position	Driver
1	Kyle Larson
2	Chase Elliott
3	Martin Truex Jr.
4	Brad Keselowski
5	Joey Logano
6	Jamie McMurray
7	Ryan Blaney
8	Clint Bowyer
9	Kevin Harvick
10	Kyle Busch
11	Ryan Newman
12	Denny Hamlin
13	Kasey Kahne
14	Kurt Busch
15	Erik Jones
16	Trevor Bayne
17	Jimmie Johnson
18	Aric Almirola
19	Daniel Suarez
20	Austin Dillon
21	Dale Earnhardt Jr.
22	Paul Menard
23	Ty Dillon
24	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
25	Matt Kenseth
26	Michael McDowell
27	Landon Cassill
28	Matt DiBenedetto
29	Danica Patrick
30	A.J. Allmendinger
31	Cole Whitt
32	Reed Sorenson
33	Chris Buescher
34	David Ragan
35	Corey LaJoie
36	Jeffrey Earnhardt
37	Gray Gaulding
38	Timmy Hill

Larson is the current NASCAR points leader, holding a 29-point advantage over Elliott. He has finished in the top two in each of the previous four races, including a win last week at the Auto Club 400. 

"I think it will be a good advantage to start on the pole, get the jump and hopefully take care of my stuff early," said Larson, per the Associated Press (via USA Today).

The 24-year-old Larson has been on a slow ascent since his first full season in 2014. He finished ninth in the Chase for the Cup standings last season and now occupies the top spot early this season. 

No driver has been more consistent week-to-week in 2017 than Larson. He had no problem putting his 12th-place finish at Daytona behind him. This track will be a good test for him since he's never won at Martinsville Speedway and finished 14th on the track last October. 

Kyle Busch, who won this event last year, will have to make a move up from the No. 10 spot if he wants to repeat.

No driver has won multiple races so far this season, but three of the five champions (Larson, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski) are starting in the top four and will look to break that streak on Sunday.