Paul Menard’s new crew chief Danny Stockman, Jr. may have found a little something in his first weekend.
Posting a lap of 50.722 seconds (177.438 mph), Menard led opening practice at Pocono Raceway, as he led a trio of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas to have the quickest time.
Denny Hamlin led the JGR crew in second, followed by Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 5.
Jeff Gordon, subbing for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for the second straight week, finished 22nd on the board while Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne also failed to crack the top 10. That feat was reserved for Chase Elliott, the driver who led the most laps in the June Pocono race; he posted the eighth quickest lap.
Martin Truex, Jr., Joey Logano, Ryan Newman and Austin Dillon rounded out the top 10.
