Kurt Busch to the Rear, Will Serve Pass Through Penalty After Failing Pre-Race Inspection Three Times

That’s not the start that Kurt Busch and the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing team were looking for in Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Busch, who was slated to start from the 12th position by way of the random starting lineup draw conducted this week, will now drop to the rear of the field before Sunday’s race and he will have to serve a pass-through penalty on the initial start of the race. This is the penalty for Busch’s car failing pre-race inspection three times.

The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion has six top-10 finishes through the first nine races and enters Atlanta 10th in the championship standings. But it’ll be an uphill battle for Busch to score a top-10 again this weekend.

Corey LaJoie (starting 25th) and Garrett Smithley (starting 34th) will both also drop to the rear, after their cars failed pre-race inspection two times.

Cole Custer (starting 31st) and Timmy Hill (starting 38th) will also drop to the rear at the start of the race after unapproved adjustments to their cars.

All drivers for fantasy sports purposes will be credited with their original starting spots despite dropping to the rear of the field.