Streaking Kyle Larson looks to pad points lead at Charlotte as NASCAR playoffs reach midway point

Kyle Larson heads into Sunday's Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway leading the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings by 40 points over Denny Hamlin. Despite going winless during the regular season, Larson has collected two postseason victories and three other top-five finishes. He will start on the pole after rain washed out practice and qualifying on Saturday.

Chase Briscoe starts alongside Larson on the front row, with Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney on row two. Christopher Bell, who sits third in the standings, voiced frustration regarding NASCAR's weather cancellations, urging officials to hold qualifying even on Sunday mornings. Meanwhile, Hamlin aims to rebound after a costly pit miscue at Las Vegas.