Team Penske stars among five NASCAR Cup Series drivers demoted at Kansas

Five NASCAR Cup Series drivers are set to be demoted ahead of the green flag at Kansas Speedway on Sunday afternoon, including all three Team Penske stars.

After a strong showing in New Hampshire last Sunday, the 1.5-mile track in Kansas City has proved a tougher challenge for Team Penske, with Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric qualifying 37th, 35th and 26th, respectively.

NASCAR RESULTS LIVE: Cup Series stage and race updates from Kansas Speedway

Of course, Blaney did not set a lap time in qualifying after a crash in practice, as a result of which he will start Sunday's race in a backup car, which sees him demoted to the very back of the field.

However, after Team Penske made 'unapproved adjustments' to Logano's No. 22 and Cindric's No. 2, they will also join their teammate in being sent to the rear ahead of the green flag.

Team Penske only makes up three of the five aforementioned drivers, however, with Shane van Gisbergen and Michael McDowell also set to be sent to the rear back before the action gets underway.

Unlike the Team Penske drivers though, Van Gisbergen and McDowell must also serve a stop-and-go penalty after taking the green flag.

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NASCAR Kansas revised starting lineup

Here is the full Cup Series starting lineup for today's race, factoring in the above five drivers dropping to the rear ahead of the green flag.

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