Big news coming out of Atlanta before the start at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Three teams lost their pit-stall selections and had a crew member ejected after failing pre-race inspection twice ahead of Sunday’s race.
The No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch, the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota driven by Bubba Wallace, and the No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, all lost pit selection as a result. Car chiefs Clay Alexander of the No. 8 and Zachary Marquardt of the No. 23 were ejected from the event, in addition to the No. 31 engineer.
The good news is none of the drivers will lose poll position in Sunday’s race. Busch will start 22nd, Justin Haley who will be driving the No. 31 car will start 17th and Wallace will start 37th.
Wallace aborted the qualifying lap and that’s why he is starting from the back.
Despite having several top-10 finishes this season, Wallace has yet to win a race and Sunday’s news and starting position won’t help his cause.
In order to qualify for the playoffs later in the season, drivers have to have a certain amount of points, and although we’re at the halfway point of the racing season, time is starting to run out for Wallace and the 23Xl racing crew.
