NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Edwards Leads First Pocono Practice
Roush Fenway driver runs 167.729 to set early pace…
Mike Hembree  |  Posted June 10, 2011   Long Pond, PA
Carl Edwards topped opening practice at Pocono. (Photo: Getty Images)
Sprint Cup point leader Carl Edwards had the hot hand in opening practice Friday for Sunday’s 5-Hour Energy 500 at Pocono Raceway, turning a lap at 167.729 miles per hour.

Edwards led 43 other cars in the 85-minute session.

Second through fifth were Paul Menard, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch. The top four drivers were over the 167 mark.

In a new wrinkle this weekend, the speeds in the first practice session will set the qualifying order – from back to front – for Saturday qualifying.

A second practice session is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Edwards carries a 40-point lead over Johnson into Sunday’s race. Other drivers in the top five in points are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 29 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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