NASCAR driver hit with crippling penalty after qualifying for Brickyard 400

Martin Truex Jr. will have an uphill battle before him as he chases victory in the Brickyard 400.

On Saturday afternoon, NASCAR announced that the No. 19 team made an unapproved adjustment to their Toyota Camry, forcing Truex to lose pit stall selection, start at the rear of the field, and serve a drive-through penalty on pit road after the pack takes the green flag.

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 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.

Truex will now start 39th for Sunday's race. The 2024 Brickyard 400 will go green shortly after 2:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC, IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.