Bubba Wallace will start at the back for the Daytona 500 from Sunday after his 23XI Racing car failed twice, NASCAR confirmed.
NASCAR also ousted the team’s motoring chief.
Wallace’s car passed with its third attempt through inspection.
Wallace will relinquish his sixth starting spot in his debut with 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
MORE: Bubba Wallace ready for spotlight
Wallace finished sixth by finishing second in his qualifying race on Thursday. Austin Dillon overtook Wallace for victory in the final round.
Is nothing but a G thang..BAY BEH https://t.co/a5MItzbpw3
Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) 14 February 2021
Wallace’s chief of staff, Mike Wheeler, also tweeted about the inspection issues:
This has gone almost too well over the past week. So it is – shake it off and get on it again. Long 500 miles today. Looking forward to a wonderful outcome. # DAYTONA500
– Michael Wheeler (@MikeCWheeler) 14 February 2021
Wallace’s car is one of ten that will move behind before the start of the race.
Others go back to the beginning: Cole Custer (backup engine), William Byron (backup engine), Ross Chastain (backup engine), Brad Keselowski (backup engine), Chase Briscoe (backup engine), Kaz Grala (backup engine), Anthony Alfredo (backup engine), Martin Truex Jr. (radiator / oil cooler change) and Erik Jones (engine change). According to the rule book (single car rule), Jones will also start at the back of next weekend’s race on the Daytona roadway.
The race will take the green flag at 15:05 ET.