On Friday morning, the Sprint Cup Series teams took to the 2.5 mile scalene triangle known as Pocono Raceway for 90 minutes of practice ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session. Speeds were a bit slower than in June, but still quite fast.
Kurt Busch turned in the fastest lap of the session at 49.902 seconds (180.353 mph) in his No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet. That lap was half of a tenth of a second faster than Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski. They were the only two drivers to turn in a lap under 50 seconds.
Keselowski’s Team Penske teammate Joey Logano was third fastest, followed by Kyle Larson and Clint Bowyer.
June’s race winner, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was ninth quickest. Other notables include Kevin Harvick in sixth, Danica Patrick in 11th, Jeff Gordon in 15th, Kyle Busch in 18th, and Jimmie Johnson back in 30th. As there are only 43 cars entered, everyone will make the race.
Qualifying is scheduled to start at 3:40 PM EDT. Coverage will air on FOX Sports 1.
About the author
Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the site's FREE e-mail newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the site's Sports Car racing editor.
Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.
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