CUP: Kenseth Hits 200 In Daytona Practice

Sprint Cup

CUP: Kenseth Hits 200 In Daytona Practice

Matt Kenseth leads Wednesday's opening practice as teams prepare for Thursday's qualifying races and the Daytona 500...

Mike Hembree | Posted February 22, 2012 Daytona Beach, FL

Matt Kenseth was fastest in the first practice session on Wednesday at the Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Fords continue to rule the roost at Daytona International Speedway.

In the first of two Daytona 500 practices Wednesday, Ford drivers had the four fastest speeds – led by veteran Matt Kenseth at 200.853 miles per hour.

Following Kenseth in the top five Wednesday afternoon were Ford drivers Trevor Bayne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Marcos Ambrose and Toyota’s Mark Martin.

Clint Bowyer was sixth fastest at 200.133 and was the last driver over the 200-mph mark in the first practice.

Danica Patrick, preparing for her first Daytona 500, was 16th.

Several teams, satisfied with their cars for Thursday’s twin qualifying races, ran limited laps in the practice. Others ran until their fuel tanks emptied, trying to get a reliable estimate on fuel mileage.

A second practice is scheduled from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (ET) and will be broadcast by SPEED.

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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