NASCAR Cup Series

Patrick will start at back of field

Published May. 25, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Danica Patrick got some bad news Saturday morning at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when her No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS developed a massive oil leak halfway through the first of two NASCAR Sprint Cup practice sessions for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.

On Thursday night, Patrick qualified 24th, one position ahead of her boss, Tony Stewart. Only twice in the first 11 races this year had Patrick had better qualifying results — she won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500 and qualified 23rd at Talladega Superspeedway.

Unfortunately for Patrick, her qualifying effort won't pay off on Sunday. Per NASCAR rules, changing the engine after qualifying means she will start the Coca-Cola 600 at the back of the 43-car field.