DARLINGTON, S.C. – Danica Patrick will start the Southern 500 from the rear in a backup car after slamming the wall near the end of the first round of qualifying Saturday.
The No. 10 Chevrolet sustained heavy right-rear damage in the incident, which was followed by an animated and contentious conversation between Patrick and crew chief Daniel Knost (video above).
Stewart-Haas Racing competition director Greg Zipadelli told SB Nation that Patrick was frustrated after making a third attempt at trying to improve her speed in the session. She turned the 30th-fastest lap.
“It was her third time out on tires, she got close to the wall, and it sucked her in,” Zipadelli said. “I think she felt like she wasn’t going to go faster and didn’t want to necessarily go out. Her team felt like they don’t give up and wanted to try it, and they did, and it bit them.
“At the end of the day, it’s a team. They win together, they lose together.”
Patrick has struggled at the 1.366-mile oval since making her Darlington debut three years ago. Her best finish in three starts was 22nd last season.