LEXINGTON, Ohio — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Jeff Curry/Getty Images North America photo —
Ty Dillon renewed his chase for a NASCAR XFINITY Series championship by leading the opening round of practice for NASCAR’s second-tier series on Friday afternoon at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Dillon’s lap of 84.976 seconds (95.660 mph) around the 2.258-mile road course was enough to turn back all comers, and came on his final of 13 laps during the session. The second-year NXS driver and third-generation competitor will be looking for his first win of the season on Saturday afternoon in his No. 3 Yuengling Light Lager Chevrolet.
Second-fastest was one of his RCR teammates, Brian Scott, in the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet. Scott laid down a lap of 85.623 seconds (94.937 mph) on his second to last lap on-track.
Renowned road racing ace Boris Said was third-fastest in the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Said is looking for his second-career series win, and first of the season, in his second-straight start for JGR after a fourth-place effort last time out at Watkins Glen.
Series regular Regan Smith (85.788/94.755) and championship leader Chris Buescher (85.805/94.736) rounded out the fast five, with Team Penske’s No. 22 driven by Alex Tagliani following in sixth. Tagliani is a regular in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and will be in search of his first-career NXS win on Saturday at a track where A.J. Allmendinger won the inaugural series event driving for Team Penske.
Defending series champion Chase Elliott, Elliott Sadler, Brendan Gaughan and Justin Marks made up the rest of the top 10 on the speed charts.
NASCAR XFINITY Series teams will have a second session to dial in their cars at 3 p.m. Eastern (NBCSN).
RESULTS: NASCAR XFINITY Series Practice No. 1; Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course; August 14, 2015
- Ty Dillon
- Brian Scott
- Boris Said
- Regan Smith
- Chris Buescher
- Alex Tagliani
- Chase Elliott
- Elliott Sadler
- Brendan Gaughan
- Justin Marks
- Kenny Habul
- Ben Rhodes
- Daniel Suarez
- Ryan Sieg
- Darrell Wallace
- Jeremy Clements
- Cale Conley
- Dylan Lupton
- Ryan Reed
- J.J. Yeley
- Tomy Drissi
- Blake Koch
- Brandon Jones
- Jeff Green
- Carlos Contreras
- Ryan Ellis
- Michael Self
- Ross Chastain
- David Starr
- Eric McClure
- Dakoda Armstrong
- Tim Cowen
- Derrike Cope
- Joey Gase
- Mike Harmon
- Josh Reaume
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. He 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
