CUP: Kenseth Fastest In Happy Hour

Sprint Cup

CUP: Kenseth Fastest In Happy Hour

Matt Kenseth runs 182.760 to lead final practice at Kansas Speedway...

Mike Hembree | Posted October 20, 2012 Kansas City, KS

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Zest Ford, in action at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chase drivers filled the top six positions, with Matt Kenseth leading the way, in Happy Hour practice Saturday for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway.

Kenseth posted a fast lap of 182.760 mph late in the one-hour session Saturday afternoon. His Roush Fenway Racing teammate, Greg Biffle, led the day’s earlier practice.

Following Kenseth in the top five Saturday afternoon were Regan Smith (substituting for Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex Jr.

Chase point leader Brad Keselowski was sixth fastest, followed by Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.

Eight of the top 10 speeds were recorded by Chase drivers.

The slowest Chase driver in the final practice was Jeff Gordon at 29th.

The session was stopped twice – first by an oil leak in Jeff Burton’s car and later by Landon Cassill’s spin in turn four.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.

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Mike Hembree

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