At Daytona International Speedway, practice never means much, but a few familiar foes led the way in Thursday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice sessions.
Practice One:Â
Turning 19 circuits, Kyle Busch, paced the opening session at 197.436 mph, .048 seconds ahead of defending winner Brad Keselowski (197.230 mph).
The No. 2 car was followed by a quartet of Ford machines, led by Kevin Harvick (197.200 mph). Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney ran an identical lap (197.165 mph) to round out the top five.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Matt DiBenedetto, Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne and Daytona 500 champion Kurt Busch filled the top 10.
Rookie Ty Dillon turned 37 laps, the most of all drivers, while 21 drivers made a run of at least 10 consecutive laps. Bayne led the way on that chart at 196.073 mph).
Practice Two:Â
Two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the way in his last scheduled practice session at the famed race track. The No. 88 turned a single-car lap at the speed of 193.328 mph.
Michael McDowell was second on the board (193.249 mph), followed by Jimmie Johnson (193.228 mph), Brendan Gaughan (193.224 mph) and Kasey Kahne (193.220 mph).
Clint Bowyer, Chase Elliott, Bayne, Erik Jones and Logano made up the top 10.
Only 19 drivers took time in final practice. McDowell turning 20 laps, was the most of those drivers.
Dustin joined the Frontstretch team at the beginning of the 2016 season. 2020 marks his sixth full-time season covering the sport that he grew up loving. His dream was to one day be a NASCAR journalist, thus why he attended Ithaca College (Class of 2018) to earn a journalism degree. Since the ripe age of four, he knew he wanted to be a storyteller.
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I tuned in to the first practice and there were 5 FORDS at the top. I said to myself (the only one who listens) “Brian will not like that.”
Suddenly, abra cadabra, like magic there’s a Toy at the top. Who is surprised?
Jr. leads the second! On his way to the pole, even though Brian knows the Toys will be mad.
You are so spot on, it isn’t even funny. But I am laughing thinking they are making a BIG DEAL about “MR. PLATE RACER” last race. So I am guessing BOOGER is going to..ahem…put on a show. LOL. It would not surprise to see Booger in Vlane and not because he is good, it’s the show at DAYTONA. WILL BOOGER GET THE POLE…stay tuned! Or maybe CHASE/CLYDE to get a record going or something. LOL.