DARLINGTON, S.C. – Christopher Bell and Elliott Sadler, expected to be two of the heavyweights in the battle for the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, were also the best of the best when it came to practice times on Friday at Darlington Raceway.
Bell and Sadler each paced one of the pair of 50-minute sessions that gave drivers a chance to tune on their cars ahead of Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200, with Bell posting the fastest time of the day during the first practice at 29.037 seconds (169.356 mph) in the No. 20 Rheem Toyota.
A four-time winner in Xfinity Series competition, Bell is making his first Darlington appearance this weekend. He also had the fastest 10-lap average speed during the day at 166.143 mph.
“We were able to test at Darlington a few weeks ago, and I think my team and I learned a lot of good things that we were able to apply here and that we can take with us into the rest of the weekend,” noted Bell. “Everything felt really solid today, and we’re optimistic that we can give Rheem a great showing here. They have such deep roots in NASCAR, and this weekend we have an awesome throwback paint scheme on board our Camry that showcases the original Rheem Logo and font style from 1925, which is really cool.
“Hopefully we can go out on Saturday, put on a good show for the fans, and get this awesome paint scheme in victory lane on Saturday afternoon.”
Ross Chastain, who is making his first of three starts in the No. 42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing this weekend, timed in second-fastest at 29.043 seconds (169.321 mph) after leading much of the opening session.
Cole Custer, Sadler and Ty Dillon completed the top five in first practice, followed by defending race winner Denny Hamlin in sixth.
The top 17 drivers in the opening round of Xfinity Series action on Friday were all faster than Sadler’s final-practice mark of 29.625 seconds (165.995 mph).
Sadler won the Xfinity Series event at Darlington in 2016.
Another JR Motorsports driver in Tyler Reddick was second-quick in Happy Hour, ahead of Bell, Brad Keselowski and Custer.
Reddick led the 10-lap average category in final practice at 162.745 mph.
NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying will roll off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
