Just before the Daytona 500 takes the green flag on Sunday, four drivers will pull out of line and drop to the rear of the field. But not by choice.
2011 Daytona 500 Lineup: Which Drivers Are Dropping To The Back?
NASCAR rules state that any driver who uses a backup car after qualifying must give up his spot and start at the back of the pack. Here are the drivers who will give up their spots:
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.: A practice crash before the Gatorade Duels means Earnhardt Jr.‘s pole position will belong to someone else. Though Earnhardt Jr. is technically still the pole-sitter, he’ll now start in the back. When he pulls out of line, his whole line will move up – leaving No. 3 starter Kurt Busch to take the green flag for the Daytona 500.
– David Reutimann: After finishing 11th in his Gatorade Duel despite a late crash, Reutimann’s Michael Waltrip Racing crew felt like they could fix the damage and salvage his 24th starting position. But after a closer examination, the team opted to pull out the backup, which will require Reutimann to start in the rear of the field.
– David Ragan: After Ragan was collected in a crash on the last lap of the second Gatorade Duel, the Roush Fenway Racing driver will give up his 34th starting position and move back a few rows.
– Joey Logano: Just 15 laps into the second Gatorade Duel, Logano received an ill-timed bump-draft and was sent spinning. He hit the wall and crashed, forcing him to a backup car. He was set to start 38th anyway, so moving back won’t make much of a difference.
See More:
