- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Sprint Cup
CUP: Truex Draws First Blood
Martin Truex Jr. paced the first practice at Chicagoland Speedway…
Martin Truex Jr. , driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, looks on in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Chase for the Sprint Cup officially got underway Friday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway, with Martin Truex Jr. leading the first of two practice rounds for Sunday’s GEICO 400.
In the early moments of the session, Truex posted a lap of 181.763 miles per hour in his No. 56 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, which stood as the top speed for the entire 90-minute practice period.
In the last minute of practice, Dale Earnhardt Jr. jumped to second on the board, running 180.681 mph in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Third was fellow Chase driver Brad Keselowski, 179.784 mph in the No. 2 Penske Dodge.
Trevor Bayne, one of the go-or-go-home drivers, wheeled the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford to a lap of 179.671 mph, good enough for fourth place.
NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Denny Hamlin completed the top five at 179.623 mph in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
The second five was led by Jamie McMurray. He was trailed by Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman.
Hamlin comes into the Chase as the No. 1 seed on the strength of his four race victories during NASCAR’s 26-race regular season. He starts the Chase with a lead of 3 points over Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski. The 12 Chase drivers are separated by just 12 points heading into Sunday’s race.
Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief of SPEED.com, Senior NASCAR Editor at RACER and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. You can follow him online at twitter.com/tomjensen100.
In the early moments of the session, Truex posted a lap of 181.763 miles per hour in his No. 56 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, which stood as the top speed for the entire 90-minute practice period.
In the last minute of practice, Dale Earnhardt Jr. jumped to second on the board, running 180.681 mph in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Third was fellow Chase driver Brad Keselowski, 179.784 mph in the No. 2 Penske Dodge.
Trevor Bayne, one of the go-or-go-home drivers, wheeled the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford to a lap of 179.671 mph, good enough for fourth place.
NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Denny Hamlin completed the top five at 179.623 mph in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
The second five was led by Jamie McMurray. He was trailed by Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman.
Hamlin comes into the Chase as the No. 1 seed on the strength of his four race victories during NASCAR’s 26-race regular season. He starts the Chase with a lead of 3 points over Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski. The 12 Chase drivers are separated by just 12 points heading into Sunday’s race.
Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief of SPEED.com, Senior NASCAR Editor at RACER and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. You can follow him online at twitter.com/tomjensen100.
Shake and Bake: Recent Posts
-
Edwards Is A Bully And Kes Has Diarrhea Of The Mouth »
-
5-Time "About Got (Expletive) Wrecked" For Listening To NASCAR »
-
ICYMI: The Biff Stands By Decision To Not Help Edwards »
-
Blowout Blame Game: Is It The Tire Or The Crew Chief? »
-
Biffle Loves It When The #48 Crashes Trying To Catch Him »
-
Rubbin' Is ... Amazing? Think You Can "Finish That Phrase"? »
-
Harvick And Labonte Toss First Pitch, Mocked By Stenhouse, Jr. »
-
Last Lap: Déjà vu ... Mike Harmon Has Turned Himself In »
Latest Gallery
LATEST HEADLINES: NASCAR
-
Winged Sprint-Car Wreck Claims Jason Leffler
Jason Leffler lost his life Wednesday night in a winged sprint-car… -
MCREYNOLDS: Dover Showed Gen-6 Car Is Strong
The biggest storyline of the year is the introduction of the Generation… -
CUP: Richard Petty Motorsports Expands Development Program
Young drivers join new Petty program... -
CUP: Monster Mile Gets Toyotas
Toyota teams find setbacks at Dover... -
CUP: Kez Is On The Down-Low
Bard Keselowski's car too low after race... -
CUP: Dover Power Rankings
Despite a rare and costly mistake, Jimmie Johnson holds onto the… -
CUP: Montoya Edges Closer To Oval Win
Juan Pablo Montoya loses shot at first victory on oval… - More News
