Matt Crafton will substitute for #27-Paul Menard in practice and qualifying Friday at Auto Club Speedway as Menard remains in North Carolina with his wife and newborn daughter.
Menard, whose daughter was born on Tuesday, will arrive in California in time for practice Saturday and the race on Sunday. He will have to start at the rear of the field because he will miss qualifying.
NASCAR requires a driver to either qualify or race the car for every event in order to be eligible for a Chase for the Sprint Cup based on wins. NASCAR officials have indicated that an injury waiver would not be available for a driver for the birth of a child.
