Jeff Gordon leads second Cup practice at Dover

Jeff Gordon, who returned to competition in the No. 88 Chevy after a two-race absence, posted the top speed of 160.514mph (22.674mph) before practice was delayed 40 minutes into the session for rain. Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined the team for practice and participation in the debrief once the session was called.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (159.610mph), Ryan Newman (159.419mph), Kasey Kahne (159.405mph), Paul Menard (159.011mph) and Clint Bowyer (158.919mph) rounded out the top six.

Kyle Larson, who finished second in the May race, was the top Chaser in practice with a lap of 158.898mph.

“I don’t know if everyone slowed down or not but our lap times seemed pretty good,” Larson said. “The car had good balance. I just have to stay out of trouble tomorrow…we always seem to get to the front at the end of the race and that’s a good thing.”

Kevin Harvick (158.772mph), Carl Edwards (158.765mph), Jamie McMurray (158.541mph), Greg Biffle (158.353mph) and Matt Kenseth (158.311mph) completed the top 12 in single lap speeds. McMurray’s 42 laps were the most completed during the abbreviated session.

Nine drivers qualified for the Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average with Paul Menard leading the category with a speed of 157.850mph. Chase Elliott was the top Chaser with a speed (156.379mph) followed by Jeff Gordon (156.039mph), Jamie McMurray (155.803mph), Kyle Busch (155.456mph), Kurt Busch (154.462mph), rookie Ryan Blaney (154.370mph), David Ragan (153.849mph) and Clint Bowyer (152.675mph).

Cla	#	Driver	Manufacturer	Laps	Time	Gap	Interval	Mph
1	88	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	41	22.428			160.514
2	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Ford	26	22.555	0.127	0.127	159.610
3	31	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	19	22.582	0.154	0.027	159.419
4	5	Kasey Kahne	Chevrolet	14	22.584	0.156	0.002	159.405
5	27	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	30	22.640	0.212	0.056	159.011
6	15	Clint Bowyer	Chevrolet	26	22.653	0.225	0.013	158.919
7	42	Kyle Larson	Chevrolet	24	22.656	0.228	0.003	158.898
8	4	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	15	22.674	0.246	0.018	158.772
9	19	Carl Edwards	Toyota	20	22.675	0.247	0.001	158.765
10	1	Jamie McMurray	Chevrolet	42	22.707	0.279	0.032	158.541