CONCORD, N.C. – Kasey Kahne is really good on tracks configured like Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and he drove that point home by posting the fastest time in the opening Busch Series practice session to match his performance on the Cup side of the fence. Kahne set fast time with a lap of 184.055 mph in the No. 9 Wisk Dodge and was the only driver to break the 184 mph mark. Jimmie Johnson posted the second-fastest lap at 183.511 mph while Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney and Regan Smith rounded out the top five. Smith’s fifth-place time in the No. 35 McDonald’s Ford is best among Busch Series regulars so far.
Bobby Labonte, Reed Sorenson, Mike Skinner, Matt Kenseth and Clint Bowyer finish out the top 10. JJ Yeley was 21st followed by David Ragan making a one-off Busch Series appearance in the No. 6 Scott’s Ford for Roush Racing. Ragan will need to go to a backup car after flattening the back of his Ford during the 30-minute Raybestos Rookie practice session that followed the regular session.
Stay tuned to our live coverage for Nextel Cup Series Bud Pole Qualifying.