CONCORD, N.C. – Austin Cindric used his extensive road-course background to quickly master the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Thursday morning, leading the way during the first of two optional practice sessions for the Drive for the Cure 200.

Cindric, the only rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, toured the 17-turn, 2.28-mile course in one minute, 19.998 seconds (102.603 mph) with his No. 22 MoneyLion Ford Mustang to lead a list of 25 drivers who took time during the two-hour session.

No Xfinity Series drivers had seen the course prior to Thursday’s opening round of track time, making every lap crucial, particularly for the 12 drivers competing in the playoffs.

“It definitely helped a lot,” said Cindric of the ability to learn the track. “There are definitely some technical spots that are tricky, but it’s a cool race track. It reminds me a bit of street-course racing. I was really happy with the speed we had right off the truck.”

A pair of drivers from the ‘Bowtie Brigade’ followed Cindric on the speed charts, with Daniel Hemric’s No. 21 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet second-fastest (1:20.871/101.495) and Ryan Truex’s No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet slotting in third overall (1:21.156/101.139).

Ryan Preece was the fastest Toyota driver in fourth, with road-course ringer Justin Marks in fifth.

Matt Tifft, Elliott Sadler, Brendan Gaughan, Justin Allgaier and Canadian Alex Labbe completed the top 10.

Despite a brief delay for track drying due to early morning mist, once drivers got onto the race track there were no incidents during the morning practice.