Winning the opening Sprint Cup Series practice session at Homestead-Miami Speedway may not heal the blow of missing the Championship foursome by five points, but it may be a sign of positive things to come for Carl Edwards.
Ripping around the 1.5-mile oval at 175.143 mph (30.832 seconds), Edwards topped the charts in what could be the deciding factor for Sunday’s lineup if qualifying is rained out. Brad Keselowski was more than a full tenth behind Edwards at a 30.954 seconds in second place with championship contender Martin Truex Jr. ending the session third, the highest of the Championship 4.
2015 FORD ECOBOOST 400 FIRST PRACTICE RESULTS
Hendrick Motorsports had a healthy presence in the top-10 speeds as the four-wide organization was led by Phoenix winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in fourth followed in tow by Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne. Jeff Gordon, who will compete in his final Sprint Cup Series race whilst running for a fifth title, struggled in his chrome No. 24 Chevrolet, finishing the rain-interrupted session 30th.
Defending Homestead winner and series champion Kevin Harvick ran seventh with a time more than a quarter second off that of Edwards. Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson completed the top 10 times.
Ryan Blaney, who announced a move to full-time Sprint Cup Series racing with Wood Brothers Racing on Friday, ended as the highest rookie, finishing 14th.
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.