GREENVILLE, S.C. – Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman – Tom Baker photo –
The Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 may not have been one of the races that was on Kyle Benjamin’s initial 2016 calendar, but the hometown favorite made it known quickly during Saturday’s first practice session that he comes into the race prepared to defend his turf.
The native of Easley, S.C., who grew up just down the road from the historic half-mile, posted a quick time of 20.828 seconds (86.422 mph) to lead the 45-minute opening tune-up for the third race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season.
Benjamin enters the race third in the championship standings, seven markers behind Ranier Racing with MDM teammate Spencer Davis, who leads the points coming into the night.
Davis was second on the speed charts, the bridesmaid again after finishing second in the first two races of the season. His lap of 20.936 seconds (85.976 mph) puts him in prime position to defend his points lead during the 75-mile event, set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET.
Massachusetts young gun Kaz Grala, who will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut next Saturday at Martinsville Speedway for GMS Racing, clocked in third-fastest (21.068/85.438) for Ben Kennedy Racing in his No. 3 NETTTS Toyota.
Dillon Bassett (21.151/85.102) and John Holleman IV (21.197/84.918) rounded out the fast five in the first session.
Other notables included Mobile winner Tyler Dippel, who was ninth in the session; his HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks teammate Justin Haley (10th); and Austin Theriault (16th), who recently announced he will run a full season for Hattori Racing Enterprises in the No. 1 Toyota.
RESULTS: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East; Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 First Practice; Greenville-Pickens Speedway; March 26, 2016
- Kyle Benjamin
- Spencer Davis
- Kaz Grala
- Dillon Bassett
- John Holleman IV
- Noah Gragson
- Ronnie Bassett Jr.
- Jairo Avila Jr.
- Tyler Dippel
- Justin Haley
- Hunter Baize
- Harrison Burton
- Ruben Garcia Jr.
- Reid Wilson
- Dominique Van Wieringen
- Austin Theriault
- Ali Kern
- Sarah Cornett-Ching
- Collin Cabre
- Trey Hutchens
- Christian Celaya
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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