NASCAR hit Cup Series team with punishment ahead of Pocono

NASCAR has confirmed that Wood Brothers Racing's Josh Berry will start Sunday's Great American Getaway 400 at the rear.

Berry locked himself and the No. 21 Ford into the Cup Series playoffs with a victory at Las Vegas earlier this season, but the 34-year-old faces an uphill task at Pocono Raceway on Sunday after his team made a change to his car.

READ MORE: NASCAR Race Today: Pocono start times, schedule and how to watch live on TV

According to NASCAR, Wood Brothers Racing replaced the rear clip above the diffuser on the No. 21 during Saturday's practice session at Pocono.

As a result, NASCAR has confirmed that Berry has been sent to the rear of the field as punishment, which is standard procedure when changes have been made to a car after passing inspection.

READ MORE: NASCAR announce quadruple Cup Series penalty at Pocono

Josh Berry won't start last despite penalty

Berry's penalty resulted in the team not setting a lap time in qualifying on Saturday. However, despite that and the above punishment, the No. 21 will not start last on Sunday.

In fact, of the 37 drivers taking part in Sunday's race at Pocono, Berry will start 35th.

This is because Brennan Poole and Cody Ware also failed to set lap times in qualifying at Pocono, with Poole also sent to the rear as one of four penalties issued to his team after failing inspection multiple times.

Bubba Wallace also failed to set a time in qualifying at Pocono after mechanical issues meant his car was unable to start on pit road. Wallace will start 34th in the No. 23.

Mechanical issues on the No. 23! @BubbaWallace's car will not start on pit road! #BuschLightPole pic.twitter.com/MEdby6OUth

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 21, 2025

READ MORE: NASCAR Cup Series winner eliminated despite historic win

NASCAR Cup Series Pocono starting lineup

Here is the full starting lineup for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono.

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