Eleven drivers will have to drop to the back for the start of the Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400, the second of two NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Among those 11 drivers are pole sitter Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick and Aric Almirola, who, like Buescher, were supposed to start the race inside the top-five.
Clint Bowyer, slated to start in the second position, will remain on the front row for Sunday’s green flag.
All three drivers went to backup cars for Sunday’s race after their cars sustained damage during Saturday’s race. Other drivers dropping to the back for Sunday’s because they went to backup cars include Buescher’s Roush Fenway Racing teammate Ryan Newman, Reddick’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece, John Hunter Nemechek and Cole Custer.
Brennan Poole will drop to the back because of an engine change. Josh Bilicki officially is listed among drivers who have to drop to the back because of a transmission change and a driver change, as Joey Gase drove the #7 car in Saturday’s race. Bilicki already was listed as starting 39th, last, after Gase finished last in the car Saturday.
