Things got a lot tougher for NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. as he goes for the win in the Brickyard 400.
That's because NASCAR officials announced that the No. 19 team made an unapproved adjustment to their Toyota Camry. The result is Truex losing pit stall selection, starting at the rear of the field, and serving a drive-through penalty on pit road after the pack takes the green flag.
Basically, good luck with all that, Martin. As written by Samuel Stubbs of Yardbarker:
"Truex will forfeit his 14th-place qualifying effort, meaning A.J. Allmendinger, Harrison Burton and the rest of the Cup Series field will move up a spot for the start of Sunday's race.
"Truex was the 20th fastest car in Friday's 50-minute practice session, and with track position deemed the No. 1 key to victory on Sunday, it will be difficult for Truex to scratch across a good result. Not only does Sunday's NASCAR race hold the honor of being run at Indianapolis, but it also is a big race in deciding who will make the Cup Series playoffs. With five races — including Indianapolis — remaining in the Cup Series regular season, Truex sits 13th on the playoff grid, 137 points above the cut line.
"The penalty will allow Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher, and the rest of the field to gain on Truex and could hurt the veteran driver's chances of making the postseason."
The Brickyard 400 is slated to take off just after 2:30 p.m. EST on Sunday. It will be broadcast by NBC, IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Truex will now start 39th for the race.
