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NASCAR · Starting Position

What Is Starting Position in NASCAR DFS?

Last updated October 11, 2026 by Ship It Nation

Starting position is a driver's assigned spot in the NASCAR starting order. In DFS, the official starting position used for scoring determines place differential, the number of positions gained or lost between the start and finish.

Why It Matters

You evaluate starting position alongside expected speed, salary and race length. A competitive driver starting deep has more room to gain positions, while a fast front starter has a better opportunity to lead early laps. Starting near the back limits potential losses from place differential, but it does not protect you from a poor finish or a crash.

Example

Say two similarly priced drivers both finish 12th. One has an official starting position of 30th, gaining 18 places, while the other starts fifth, losing seven places. The deeper starter scores better on place differential, but you still compare their other scoring opportunities before deciding which driver belongs in your lineup.

Pro tip

Before lock, check both the starting position listed for scoring and any penalties sending a driver to the rear. They may describe different spots.

Hear Us Break It Down

Hand-picked moments from our free live streams where our hosts break down this term.

Why starting sixth makes Bowman harder to roster You see starting position change the decision on Alex Bowman: a deeper start makes him worth considering, but starting sixth draws little interest. Austin Dillon also gets passed over because of his starting spot despite his short-track ability. “If Bowman the Showman was starting deeper in the field, I would be all about taking the chance. I just don't love it from that sixth place starting position.” NASCAR · Saturday, Sep 19 13:33 ▶ Why the pole can outweigh an ordinary practice session You weigh Tyler Reddick's ordinary practice against his pole position, which gives him clean air and an early opportunity to lead. That starting advantage supports some exposure without making him the strongest car over the full race. “Bubba Wallace practiced phenomenal and qualified mid-pack. Tyler Reddick practiced middle of the road, qualified on the pole.” NASCAR · Sunday, Aug 23 7:56 ▶ When starting tenth can help you stand apart You consider Shane van Gisbergen starting tenth as a way to separate an otherwise popular lineup. The case rests on him staying near that position at low ownership, showing why a driver does not have to start deep to deserve consideration. “That might get you different enough. So SVG should absolutely be considered for your player pool.” NASCAR · Saturday, Oct 10 12:38 ▶
More mentions 8
SAT 10/10 “Tyler Larson on the pole.” 8:16 ▶ SUN 10/4 “Starting on the pole, and really the first five positions, Joe Gibbs Racing.” 6:26 ▶ SAT 9/26 “Starting on the pole is Joey Logano.” 8:16 ▶ SAT 9/19 “Want to target those points at least two dominators today even though qualifying was rained out at least two doms especially the one that's on the pole you probably want to grab to start anyway um practice and qualifying were birth birth...” 5:15 ▶ SUN 9/13 “So the fact that they are excellent at short flat racetracks and then they went and put it on the pole and third place respectively.” 8:30 ▶ SUN 9/6 “So Tyler Reddick is on the pole.” 9:05 ▶ SAT 8/29 “So you'll normally your your pole sitter, especially when it's a high profile name is over thirty, forty percent, right?” 8:14 ▶ SUN 8/23 “Uh let's see here tyler reddick on the pole this one was a surprise to many many uh I'm gonna be honest he's he's kind of just mid at short flats you can see on the stone here he's just you know bees on track ranks bees on the type track...” 7:27 ▶

Common Questions

How is starting position decided in NASCAR?

Usually through qualifying, under the procedures for that series and race. When qualifying cannot be completed, NASCAR uses its applicable lineup-setting rules instead. Use the published official starting lineup rather than assuming practice speeds determine the order.

Does going to the rear change a driver's DFS starting position?

Not automatically. A driver can physically start at the rear while retaining an earlier position for fantasy scoring. Check your site's recorded starting position and penalty rules before treating that driver as someone with extra room to gain place-differential points.

Can a driver starting on the pole be a good DFS pick?

Yes. The pole sitter starts first and cannot gain any positions for place differential, but can still score through finishing position and laps led. Whether you should roster that driver depends on salary, expected performance, race length and your site's scoring.

Every term we use on the shows, explained Written for the sport you play, with the moments where we use them.
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