While Thursday’s Budweiser Duel 150s set the starting grid for Sunday’s 57th Daytona 500, they also impacted what cars will be driven by nearly one-third of the 43-car field.
Due to multiple wrecks in Thursday’s qualifying races, 10 drivers will go to backup cars for the three remaining practices on Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday’s race.
Because they’re in backup cars that they didn’t qualify, NASCAR rules state that those drivers will start the 500 from the back of the field.
Those drivers are Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne, Sam Hornish Jr., Danica Patrick, Ryan Newman, Bobby Labonte, David Ragan, Kyle Larson, A.J. Allmendinger and Johnny Sauter.
“You never want to pull out your backup car here at Daytona, you normally want to bring out your best one first,” Bayne told FoxSports1 on Friday morning. “I think it’s really similar to our primary car. I’m glad they had a car like this that they could bring out.”
Patrick was already in a backup car for Thursday’s Duel because of Wednesday’s wreck in practice with Denny Hamlin. It was virtual deja vu Thursday, as Patrick once again wrecked with Hamlin behind her in the Duel 150.
While damage was moderate, Patrick was able to return to the pits for four tires and went back on the track for the final laps of the race, ultimately finishing 10th.
Three other cars underwent major repairs after Thursday’s races and into Friday morning, prior to the first practice session. Those cars were the No. 14 of Tony Stewart, No. 33 of Ty Dillon and No. 43 of Aric Almirola.
Follow @JerryBonkowski