RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 11: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, races Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Red White Blue Toyota, during the NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders at Richmond Raceway on September 11, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 11: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, races Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Red White Blue Toyota, during the NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders at Richmond Raceway on September 11, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Playoff Drivers Martin Truex Jr. & William Byron Starting at Rear of Field at Las Vegas

Ahead of tonight’s NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, playoff drivers Martin Truex Jr. and William Byron will have to start at the rear of the field for failing pre-race technical inspection twice.

Byron was scheduled to start from third position, while Truex was originally supposed to take the green flag in fourth.

Joining Byron and Truex at the rear of the field are Aric Almirola (scheduled to start 17th) and JJ Yeley (last). Yeley’s No. 66 MBM Motorsports entry failed a third time, and will have to make a pass through penalty once the green flag waves. His car chief Ty Brazeal has been ejected from the track.