(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR photo)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brian Scott led the way in the only practice session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Friday morning at Daytona International Speedway, as Fords made up four of the top five spots on the speed charts.
Scott’s No. 44 Albertsons/Shore Lodge Ford Fusion posted a quick lap of 45.147 seconds (199.349 mph) in the second half of the 45-minute session, charging forward despite a dicey three-wide pack that threatened to break loose at any time.
Though that action eventually settled down, with just over nine minutes to go in the session, problems did arise for one prominent driver and team.
Riding in a draft with teammate Denny Hamlin ahead and Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards behind, the right rear tire blew out on Busch’s Toyota in the middle of turns one and two, sending him up the track and hard into the outside wall. He will go to a backup car for qualifying and Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM).
For more on Busch’s incident, click here.
Austin Dillon was the only non-Ford driver inside the top five, clocking in second in his No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/NRA Chevrolet, just .001 of a second slower than Scott (45.148/199.344).
Behind him, the Penske-powered duo of 2012 Cup champion Brad Keselowski (45.292/198.711) and rookie Ryan Blaney (45.306/198.649) were third and fourth, with Blaney hooking up in the draft late in the session to move from last among the Open class teams to first.
The lap assures the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire and Automotive Ford for the Wood Brothers a position in Saturday night’s race should weather affect qualifying later in the afternoon.
David Gilliland, driving a third entry for Front Row Motorsprts, initially rounded out the top five (45.312/198.623) in practice. However, both he and Josh Wise (ninth) had too much rear-end weight on the scales in post-practice inspection, and both of their times were disallowed.
As such, Scott’s teammate Aric Almirola was fifth ahead of Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Clint Bowyer.
Six of the leading seven positions overall were held by Ford drivers.
Sonoma winner Tony Stewart was 22nd-quick, while Daytona 500 winner Hamlin was 30th and defending race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 32nd overall.
Qualifying for the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola is slated for 4 p.m. ET, live on NBC Sports Network.
RESULTS: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour Practice; Daytona International Speedway; July 1, 2016
- Brian Scott
- Austin Dillon
- Brad Keselowski
- Ryan Blaney *
- Aric Almirola
- Chris Buescher
- Joey Logano
- Danica Patrick
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Clint Bowyer
- Cole Whitt *
- David Ragan
- Greg Biffle
- Trevor Bayne
- Reed Sorenson *
- Michael McDowell
- Jimmie Johnson
- Kurt Busch
- Kasey Kahne
- Tony Stewart
- Michael Annett
- Paul Menard
- Chase Elliott
- Matt Kenseth
- Landon Cassill
- Kyle Busch
- Carl Edwards
- Denny Hamlin
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Kevin Harvick
- Ryan Newman
- Regan Smith
- Casey Mears
- A.J. Allmendinger
- Kyle Larson
- Jamie McMurray
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Bobby Labonte
- David Gilliland * (DQ)
- Josh Wise * (DQ)
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 the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
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