Kyle Busch is running a part-time Nationwide Series schedule this year. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Kyle Busch, driving the No. 54 Toyota he owns and is sharing this season with older brother Kurt, led Saturday's opening NASCAR Nationwide Series practice for Sunday's STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Busch, who is still seeking his first Nationwide win in a Kyle Busch Motorsports car, showed the way with a lap of 171.450 mph around the 1.5-mile suburban Chicago track.
Points leader Elliott Sadler (171.021), Sam Hornish Jr., reigning series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Parker Kligerman completed the top five.
Danica Patrick, a native of nearby Roscoe, Ill., was 13th out of 42 drivers.