Practice report

NASCAR Cup Kentucky

Carl Edwards tops rain-delayed Cup practice

Despite a rain delay and rubber washed from the track, Carl Edwards once again led the way in the Sprint Cup Series’ third practice session at Kentucky Speedway.

Jim Utter

Edited: Jul 9, 2016, 4:45 AM

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Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Edwards, who was fastest in Thursday’s lone session, led the way in Friday’s rain-delayed and abbreviated third session. A scheduled morning practice session lasted only 20 minutes before it was called due to rain.

Edwards posted a best average lap speed of 188.633 mph in the Friday afternoon session as Toyotas led the way atop the leaderboard, holding three of the top five speeds.

Martin Truex Jr. was second-fastest, Kyle Larson was third in a Chevrolet, Kyle Busch was fourth and Austin Dillon was fifth in a Chevrolet. Joey Logano was the top Ford, in 12th.

Larson posted the fastest average speed among drivers who ran at least 10 consecutive laps (185.468 mph). Denny Hamlin was second and Truex third-fastest.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a particularly difficult time getting a handle on his No. 88 Chevrolet during the session. Shortly after taking the track, Earnhardt radioed his crew, “The car bounces real bad down the front straightaway.”

On his next run on the track, Earnhardt expressed more frustration, “Just wrecking into the corner. The car steers into the corner by itself. How can we be this (expletive) up?”

By late in the 50-minute session, Earnhardt found the car more to his liking and he finished as 19th fastest.

“That was better ... whatever we did there,” Earnhardt radioed his crew. “The front doesn’t wrap the line in the middle, I get tight. The front bounces down the straightaway like 'WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

“We can improve that ride for sure.”

Several drivers throughout the session talked about coming close to spinning out.

Early in the session, Kyle Busch pulled off a masterful save after nearly having the right-rear of his No. 18 Toyota slam into the wall.

Jamie McMurray’s comment was common among many drivers: “I can’t drive it it’s so loose. I can’t even turn the steering wheel.” McMurray ended up 11th fastest.

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