Danica Patrick Crashes In Practice; Must Race Her Way Into Daytona 500

After clocking in just 32nd quickest during last Sunday's qualifying rounds that set the front row for this Sunday's Daytona 500, Danica Patrick needed a top-15 finish in her respective Budweiser Duel qualifying race to guarantee herself a spot in The Great American Race.

She still does.

But now, instead of starting her respective 150-mile qualifier from the 16th spot, she'll start last due to a crash in the first of Wednesday's two scheduled Sprint Cup practices at Daytona International Speedway.

Running in a pack of cars, Patrick appeared to move down into the path of Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota when contact sent Patrick's No. 10 Chevy into the outside wall before making slight contact with Matt Kenseth and Michael Annett.

As a result of being forced to a backup car, she'll drop to rear at the start of Thursday night's second Duel qualifier. (FOX Sports)