DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Caramel Toyota, speaks with Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 BassProShops/TrackerBoats40thAnv Toyota, in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2017 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

Three Cup playoff drivers hit with infractions, penalized before Martinsville


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It appears several drivers will miss all or some of the remaining practice session leading up to the First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Related: One driver's team believes winning at Martinsville is the key to winning a championship

According to NBC Sports, three of the seven -- Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott -- are still alive in the hunt for a Monster Energy Cup Championship. They will miss the first 15 minutes of the final practice due to "multiple inspection failures." Ty Dillon will miss the first 30 minutes.

While not playoff drivers, Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth, and Chris Buescher will be held for the entirety.

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There are two practice sessions on Saturday, with qualifying to be held on Sunday at noon prior to the race, which begins at 3 p.m.