These guys are racing today... wow !!
Kyle Bush and Hamlin and the other Toyota team driver Bell, all went to the back of the pack for car modification penalties.
Truex and Jones were also penalized on Friday practice for same reasons and were docked practice time.
c/p
Joining Busch at the rear of the field will be teammate and Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, as well as Christopher Bell of Leavine Family Racing. The noses of their Toyota Camrys did not fit specifications.
NASCAR levied L1 penalties on the three teams, resulting in the loss of 10 owner and driver points for each.
Busch, Hamlin and Bell, along with JGR teammates Truex and Erik Jones, were also docked practice time on Friday for attempting to change the shape of the front fenders with Bondo.
Truex’s car failed inspection once on Saturday because of what the driver termed an issue with the “toe” (tire angle) but passed on the second attempt. Truex will retain his second-place starting spot on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick will inherit the pole position. Hamlin would have started fourth but for his infraction. Bell was slated to start 22nd.
The No. 9 Chevrolet of Chase Elliott failed pre-qualifying inspection twice, leading to the ejection from the track of car chief Matt Barndt. Elliott will retain his 10th-place starting spot but lose 15 minutes of practice time next weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.
