NASCAR has confirmed that eight teams will go to a backup car and start at the rear of the Daytona 500 after being damaged in Thursday’s qualifying races.
The eight cars represent 20 percent of the field.
Those going to backup cars are Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Aric Almirola, William Byron, Matt DiBenedetto, Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson and David Gilliland.
NASCAR also confirmed that the cars of Keselowski, Almirola, DiBenedetto and Johnson each will go to a backup engine. Since the engine change is due to crash damage, none of those four will have to go to the rear also at Atlanta.
NASCAR has stated that any engine change not related to crash damage would force that car to start at the rear of the Daytona 500 and its next race. That particular rule is only for Daytona Speedweeks.
