CONCORD, N.C. – Cole Custer jumped to the top of the board and ultimately posted the fastest lap of the day during Thursday afternoon’s final practice session for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
Custer, driving the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang, posted a best lap of one minute, 19.517 seconds (103.223 mph) around the 17-turn, 2.28 mile course on his 14th of 25 circuits during the two-hour session.
The sophomore Xfinity Series driver is still seeking his first win of the season, but he was pleased with his team’s speed on Thursday ahead of the second race of the playoffs.
“I feel like our speed on road courses has been fairly solid throughout the year, but we just haven’t gotten the finishes we’ve wanted or really deserved,” noted Custer. “Our car seemed pretty good on the long run, and we laid down a pretty good single lap, but I want to be even better over the short run because I think that’s what it’s going to come down to late in the race with cautions and everything.
“I believe that’s where you’re going to want your strong suit to be if you want to win the race. This is a good start for us, though, for sure.”
Opening practice leader Austin Cindric landed second in the final round (1:19.770/102.896), giving Ford the fastest two speeds of the day. He was followed by a string of five Chevrolet drivers, with Tyler Reddick as the best of that bunch in third (1:19.771/102.895).
Daniel Hemric and Justin Allgaier were fourth and fifth, respectively, followed by Elliott Sadler and Ryan Truex.
Ty Majeski landed eighth-quick in another Ford, with Ryan Preece ending the afternoon session as the fastest Toyota driver in ninth. Road-course specialist Justin Marks completed the top 10.
Playoff contender Brandon Jones ended up 22nd in the session after several spins, one of which significantly damaged the right side of his No. 19 Juniper Toyota.
Thirty cars turned at least one lap during the afternoon practice, which ran from 2-4 p.m. All drivers participating were required to use their primary cars for the weekend, and teams have four sets of tires to use prior to qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
Allgaier turned in the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at 102.034 mph in the No. 7 Vannoy Construction Chevrolet Camaro. Cindric was second in that category.
On-track activity for the Xfinity Series at the Charlotte ROVAL continues Friday with two additional hour-long practice sessions, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
