HAMPTON, Ga. — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR photo —
Friday afternoon saw a sweep of the practice charts for Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR XFINITY Series program, and Erik Jones has poised himself as the early favorite ahead of the weekend’s action at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After leading the opening practice and landing second in practice two, Jones returned to the top of the scoring pylon during XFINITY Happy Hour at the venerable 1.54-mile oval, posting a time of 30.551 seconds (181.467 mph) to lead the field for Saturday’s Heads Up Georgia 250 (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM).
His teammate, all-time XFINITY wins leader and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, wasn’t far behind though.
Busch, who remarkably despite 76 career NXS triumphs has never won in the series at AMS, was second-quick overall with a lap of 30.641 seconds (180.934 mph) in the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota. The Las Vegas native is donning the familiar blue and orange livery for the first time since 2011, and will look to add to his impressive stat line on Saturday.
Ty Dillon was the fastest member of the ‘Bowtie Brigade’ in third, running the No. 3 Rheem Chevrolet to a best clip of 30.718 seconds (180.481 mph) for Richard Childress Racing. He was followed by reigning XFINITY Rookie of the Year Daniel Suarez (30.740/180.351), who gave JGR three cars in the top four on the speed charts as the team looks to give Toyota its first XFINITY win as a manufacturer at the Hampton facility.
Kyle Larson, who was fastest in Sprint Cup practice earlier in the day for Chip Ganassi Racing, rounded out the top five (30.746/180.316) for CGR in the No. 42 ENEOS Chevrolet.
Brad Keselowski, three-time defending race winner Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard, Brennan Poole and Jeb Burton were the balance of the top 10.
Notables outside the top 10 on speed included JR Motorsports drivers Justin Allgaier (11th) and Elliott Sadler (14th), young RCR rookie Brandon Jones (15th) and the Roush Fenway Racing entries of Darrell Wallace Jr. (17th) and Ryan Reed (18th).
Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the XFINITY field will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with live coverage on FOX Sports 1.
RESULTS: NASCAR XFINITY Series Final Practice; Atlanta Motor Speedway; Feb. 26, 2016
- Erik Jones
- Kyle Busch
- Ty Dillon
- Daniel Suarez
- Kyle Larson
- Brad Keselowski
- Kevin Harvick
- Paul Menard
- Brennan Poole
- Jeb Burton
- Justin Allgaier
- Blake Koch
- Brendan Gaughan
- Elliott Sadler
- Brandon Jones
- Ryan Sieg
- Darrell Wallace Jr.
- Ryan Reed
- Dakoda Armstrong
- Corey LaJoie
- Jeremy Clements
- Ray Black Jr.
- Ross Chastain
- J.J. Yeley
- Ryan Preece
- David Starr
- Mario Gosselin
- B.J. McLeod
- Harrison Rhodes
- Joey Gase
- Garrett Smithley
- Morgan Shepherd
- Cody Ware
- Derrike Cope
- Josh Reaume
- Chris Cockrum
- Mike Harmon
- Jeff Green
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 both the United Sprint Car Series and 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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