MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Report and photo by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman —

Southern Super Series and short track veteran Augie Grill once again flexed his muscle during Saturday’s opening practice for the 51st running of the Alabama 200.

The Hayden, Ala. driver took his No. 112 Dubz Thermal Products Ford to the top of the provisional speed charts with a clip of 19.098 seconds (94.251 mph) on his 10th of 20 laps in the half hour session, beginning his quest for a record fifth Alabama 200 win with a strong statement.

Grill won the 200 every year from 2008 to 2011, but has not won the event since.

Kyle Grissom followed Grill in the runner-up spot on the speed charts at a clip of 19.188 seconds (93.809) and current SSS championship leader Casey Smith was just seven one-thousandths of a second behind Grissom at 19.195 (93.774).

Donnie Wilson (19.251/93.502) and all-time SSS wins leader Bubba Pollard (19.257/93.473) rounded out the fast five in the 30-minute session, with Ross Kenseth, son of 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth, sixth on the scoreboard (19.320/93.168).

Defending Alabama 200 champion Anderson Bowen was 11th, while reigning NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott could only muster the 13th-quickest time in the open session.

Final practice for the 51st running of the Alabama 200 kicks off at 6:10 p.m. Central time.

RESULTS: Southern Super Series First Practice; Montgomery Motor Speedway; September 12, 2015

1. #112 – Augie Grill, 19.098
2. #31 – Kyle Grissom, 19.188
3. #99 – Casey Smith, 19.195
4. #2W – Donnie Wilson, 19.251
5. #26 – Bubba Pollard, 19.257
6. #98 – Ross Kenseth, 19.320
7. #11 – Logan Boyett, 19.331
8. #1 – Garrett Jones, 19.412
9. #24 – Christopher Tullis, 19.452
10. #12 – Harrison Burton, 19.486
11. #29 – Anderson Bowen, 19.530
12. #47 – Allen Karnes, 19.557
13. #9 – Chase Elliott, 19.588
14. #43 – Dennis Schoenfeld, 19.615
15. #71 – Johnny Brazier, 19.765
16. #79 – Kyle Bryant, 19.828
17. #198 – Russell Fleeman, 19.831
18. #58B – Todd Brown, 20.474
19. #58C – John Coffman, 20.662
20. #58 – Bobby Deistler, 21.178

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: [email protected]

Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77