Keselowski tops final practice at Texas

Brad Keselowski, who earned the pole for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge moments earlier, posted a fast single-lap speed of 190.685mph (28319-seconds). After qualifying fourth for Sunday’s AAA Texas 500, he was pleased with the speed the team picked up throughout the weekend.

“We weren’t where we wanted to be at the start but we kept on it and kept getting better,” Keselowski said. “That is a testament to Paul Wolfe and the 2 crew here and I am very proud of that effort.”

Martin Truex Jr., who rolls off 12th on Sunday, was second quick with a speed of 189.787mph. Kyle Busch recorded the third fastest lap of 189.753mph followed by Joey Logano (189.707mph) and rookie Chase Elliott. Logano’s 52 laps were the most completed in final practice.

Ryan Newman (189.387mph), rookie Ryan Blaney (189.274mph), Carl Edwards (189.255mph), Chris Buescher (189.201mph)and Kurt Busch (189.069mph) rounded out the top 10 in single lap speeds. Other Chasers in the category included defending race winner Jimmie Johnson (15th), Denny Hamlin (18th) and Matt Kenseth (19th).

Truex led the Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average category with a speed of 184.413. Elliott (184.197mph) was second quick followed by Keselowski (184.191mph), Logano (183.859mph), Edwards (183.852mph), polesitter Austin Dillon (183.725mph), Kenseth (183.593mph), Ryan Newman (183.461mph), Blaney (183.127mph) and Jamie McMurray (182.165mph).

Thirty-four drivers participated in 10-plus lap runs.

Cla	#	Driver	Manufacturer	Laps	Time	Gap	Interval	Mph
1	2	Brad Keselowski	Ford	44	28.319			190.685
2	78	Martin Truex Jr.	Toyota	41	28.453	0.134	0.134	189.787
3	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	37	28.458	0.139	0.005	189.753
4	22	Joey Logano	Ford	52	28.465	0.146	0.007	189.707
5	24	Chase Elliott	Chevrolet	49	28.504	0.185	0.039	189.447
6	31	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	46	28.513	0.194	0.009	189.387
7	21	Ryan Blaney	Ford	42	28.530	0.211	0.017	189.274
8	19	Carl Edwards	Toyota	52	28.533	0.214	0.003	189.255
9	34	Chris Buescher	Ford	44	28.541	0.222	0.008	189.201
10	41	Kurt Busch	Chevrolet	40	28.561	0.242	0.020	189.069