NASCAR: Kyle Busch penalized before Watkins Glen race

Kyle Busch will be forced to start Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International at the rear of the field after an engine change.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch was the only Toyota driver to advance from the first round to the second round of qualifying on Saturday afternoon for Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International, the penultimate race of the 26-race regular season.

While he posted the slowest speed of the 10 drivers who advanced to the second round to qualify 10th, he was still the only Toyota driver to qualify inside the top 15.

However, the driver of the #18 Toyota will not get to retain his starting position for Sunday’s 90-lap Go Bowling at The Glen at the eight-turn, 2.454-mile (3.949-kilometer) Watkins Glen, New York road course.

As a result of an engine change after the qualifying session, Busch is set to start at the back of the 39-car field.

He is set to join teammate Christopher Bell, who lost an engine during practice and did not get a chance to make a qualifying attempt.

With Busch’s penalty, the highest starting Toyota driver is set to be 23XI Racing’s Ty Gibbs, who initially qualified in 16th place as Kurt Busch’s substitute behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota.

With Kyle having qualified in an even position and all drivers lined up behind him set to move up a row when he drops to the rear on the pace laps, Gibbs is set to start in 14th place.

The highest starting Joe Gibbs Racing driver is set to be Denny Hamlin, who initially qualified in 22nd place behind the wheel of his #11 Toyota and is now set to move up to 20th.

Tune in to USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET this afternoon for the live broadcast of the Go Bowling at The Glen from Watkins Glen International. Now would be an opportune time to begin a free trial of FuboTV!