The Round of 8 is set to get underway on Sunday (Oct. 27) at Martinsville Speedway with the First Data 500. Saturday’s two practice sessions were a near repeat from last year with some of the paperclip’s best drivers: Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. among the quickest drivers in the opening session, while Brad Keselowski paced the field in final practice.
Opening Practice
Logano was quickest throughout the morning session, leading the way at 96.657 mph, close to a tenth of a second ahead of second quickest Truex (96.176 mph).
Five-time Martinsville winner Denny Hamlin was third on the scoring pylon (95.966 mph), as Clint Bowyer (95.854) and Kyle Busch (95.709 mph) rounded out the top five.
Chris Buescher, Ryan Blaney, Aric Almirola, Daniel Suarez and Jimmie Johnson filled positions six through 10.
Playoff drivers outside the top 10 were Kevin Harvick (12th), Kyle Larson (13th) and Chase Elliott (14th). Elliott’s practice was cut short by roughly 45 minutes, as the No. 9 blew an engine early into the session. Because the team had to change the engine, Elliott will start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field.
Bowyer was the quickest of drivers that made a 10-lap run. The No. 14 Ford averaged a speed of 95.081 mph, just ahead of Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota.
Prior to opening practice, rookie driver Matt Tifft was transported to a local hospital after being loaded on a stretcher and put in an ambulance. Gander Outdoors Truck Series regular Matt Crafton practiced the No. 36 Ford, recording the 31st quickest time.
Final PracticeÂ
In final practice, Keselowski led the way at 96.283 mph, more than a tenth on the field. His Team Penske teammate Blaney was just behind in second (95.762 mph), leading the eight playoff drivers.
Two-time Martinsville winner Kurt Busch was third (95.704 mph), as rookies Daniel Hemric (95.592 mph) and Ryan Preece (95.477 mph) rounded out the top five.
After the No. 9 team changed an engine between practices, Elliott finished final practice in sixth. William Byron, Erik Jones, Bowyer and Michael McDowell filled the top 10.
While many drivers were in qualifying trim, most of the playoff drivers were not. Kyle Busch 15th on the scoring pylon, though third among drivers in the playoffs. Hamlin, Harvick and Logano were slotted in 16-18, with Truex and Larson (who turned the most laps in the session at 95) in 20th and 21st, respectively.
For the second consecutive practice, Bowyer was in charge on the long run, making a 10-lap run at 94.488 mph.
Qualifying is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET. Kyle Busch is the defending polesitter.
About the author
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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well the cautions fly Sunday the golden boy is starting last