CONCORD, N.C. — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images for NASCAR photo —
Just as he did on Thursday prior to Coca Cola 600 qualifying, Kurt Busch led NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday morning, the first of two daytime sessions in advance of ‘NASCAR’s Longest Night’.
Busch topped the 55-minute Saturday morning session with a best lap of 28.272 seconds (191.002 mph), set on his first lap of 42 as tire fall off was prevalent around the 1.5-mile quad-oval.
Six-time Cup champion and four-time 600 winner Jimmie Johnson was second-quick at a clip of 28.329 seconds (190.617 mph), making it a top two sweep for the Hendrick Motorsports engine department, which also supplies Busch and his three Stewart Haas Racing teammates.
A pair of Toyotas made up the next two positions in practice, as polesitter Martin Truex Jr. clocked his Furniture Row Racing entry in third (28.412/190.061) and reigning-Coca Cola 600 winner Carl Edwards was fourth (28.438/189.887) for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Ricky Stenhouse’s Roush Fenway Racing Ford rounded out the ‘Fast Five’ and gave all three manufacturers representation among the frontrunners in practice.
Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Ryan Newman and Kyle Larson were the balance of the top 10.
Joey Logano, who won the Cup race at Charlotte in October as well as the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race last weekend, was 12th-fastest for Team Penske.
Final practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, live on FOX Sports 1.
RESULTS: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; Coca-Cola 600 Second Practice; Charlotte Motor Speedway; May 28, 2016
- Kurt Busch
- Jimmie Johnson
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Carl Edwards
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Chase Elliott
- Kevin Harvick
- Ryan Blaney
- Ryan Newman
- Kyle Larson
- Austin Dillon
- Joey Logano
- Kasey Kahne
- Trevor Bayne
- Tony Stewart
- Jamie McMurray
- A.J. Allmendinger
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Chris Buescher
- Greg Biffle
- Clint Bowyer
- Paul Menard
- Brad Keselowski
- Aric Almirola
- Denny Hamlin
- Matt Kenseth
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Danica Patrick
- Casey Mears
- David Ragan
- Landon Cassill
- Kyle Busch
- Brian Scott
- Michael McDowell
- Regan Smith
- Michael Annett
- Cole Whitt
- Josh Wise
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Reed Sorenson
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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