CONCORD, N.C. — Despite a spin during NASCAR Camping World Truck Series happy hour on Thursday evening, Noah Gragson found his way to the top of the speed charts at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Gragson piloted the No. 18 Switch Toyota Tundra to a lap of 29.680 seconds (181.941 mph) around the 1.5-mile quad-oval, a strong showing after the 18-year-old Las Vegas native tested at CMS earlier in the month.
The fast time came on Gragson’s first of 21 circuits in the 55-minute session.
Austin Cindric — who will graduate from Cannon School tomorrow and participate in his commencement ceremony prior to the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 — was the fastest Ford in second, posting a time of 29.734 seconds (181.610 mph) in his No. 19 LTi Printing Ford F-150.
Johnny Sauter’s No. 21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet Silverado was third and completed the manufacturers’ trifecta on top of the speed charts, touring CMS in 29.881 seconds (180.717 mph).
NBC Sports analyst was fourth in Henderson Motorsports’ No. 75 Toyota, followed by first practice leader Christopher Bell and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular Kyle Busch, whose truck was practiced by Bell in the earlier round.
Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, Chase Briscoe and dirt modified ace Stewart Friesen completed the top 10.
Busch was the fastest truck in the 10-lap average category, posting an average speed of 178.683 mph from laps 21-30 of his time on track.
Keystone Light Pole Qualifying for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 takes place at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, live on FOX Sports 1.
Full practice results can be viewed on the next page…