Kyle Busch will have to drop to the back for the start of the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night, because his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed pre-race inspection twice.
Busch was expected to start sixth among his fellow-playoff drivers for the second race of the 10-race playoffs. The other 15 playoff drivers still will start the Richmond race in the first eight rows.
Busch also will be without regular crew chief Adam Stevens for the Federated Auto Parts. Team engineer Jacob Canter will substitute for Stevens as Stevens serves a one-race suspension for two improperly secured lug nuts at the end of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 6.
According to Busch, though, Stevens will be calling the shots for the #18 team remotely Saturday night.
Canter was Busch’s crew chief during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, also at Richmond, on Friday night.
Johnny Klausmeier, crew chief on the #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford team of Clint Bowyer also is suspended from the Richmond race for a loose or missing lug nut at the end of the Darlington race. Stewart-Haas Vice President of Competition and two-time Cup Series championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli will be Bowyer’s crew chief at Richmond.
