Practice report
NASCAR Cup Atlanta
Kyle Larson tops lone Friday Cup practice
Kyle Larson posted the fastest lap in first practice with the new low downforce car at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday.
Lee Spencer
Edited: Feb 26, 2016, 6:25 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Larson posted a lap of 28.740-seconds (192.202 mph), followed by Kasey Kahne (191.807 mph), AJ Allmendinger (190.975 mph), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (190.646 mph) and Austin Dillon (190.404 mph).
Stenhouse also posted the Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average of 180.648 mph, followed by Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin (177.524 mph), Kyle Busch (176.757 mph) and rookie Chase Elliott (176.184 mph).
Kurt Busch, who was sixth fast with a lap of 29.129-seconds, but complained of a loose conditions — as many drivers did throughout the 90-minute practice.
“We did our job, other than the entry in three,” Busch said. “From the straightaway to “Atlanta” in 3, the car was sideways.”
The second Ganassi Racing entry of Jamie McMurray was seventh, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch.
Elliott, who completed the most laps (31) complained of his rear grip starting to fade as his tires wore, was also the fastest rookie in single lap runs at16 followed by Ryan Blaney one position behind.
Hamlin, who nearly spun out on the apron towards the end of his run, posted the 23rd quick lap. He predicts the cars "will be a handful on Sunday".
Ty Dillon, substituting for Tony Stewart, ran 20 laps in the new package and ended up 25th fast with a lap of 188.334 mph.
“I have to thank Stewart-Haas Racing for the opportunity to be in the 14 car,” Dillon said. “I think everyone wants to see Tony (Stewart) in this car. With those unfortunate circumstances, I was able to be in the car this weekend, which is good for me to get the experience in such great equipment. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity. It’s an honor to drive the 14 for Tony. I have high expectations for this weekend.
“I said it earlier in the week that I always set my goals high. I want to run good in this car. I want to do good for Tony and Stewart-Haas Racing. I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to run in the top-10 or top-15. I’m going to give it all I have. I’ve been talking with (crew chief) Mike (Bugarewicz) all week. I want to go out there and impress a lot of people and show people what I’m made of and what I can do in these race cars. Going back and forth will help me a lot, especially in my Xfinity car. It would be nice to get two good finishes here in Atlanta.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article NASCAR debuts lower downforce aero package at Atlanta
Next article New NASCAR aero package means "significant change" for Goodyear
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Lee Spencer
Harvick reflects on career after Atlanta win, honors Dale Earnhardt
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Harvick reflects on career after Atlanta win, honors Dale Earnhardt
Chase Elliott: "We have a lot of work to do" after Atlanta showing
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Chase Elliott: "We have a lot of work to do" after Atlanta showing
Harvick leads veteran charge at Atlanta Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Harvick leads veteran charge at Atlanta Motor Speedway
More from
Ty Dillon
Why Cleetus McFarland is a sound investment for Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
Rockingham
Why Cleetus McFarland is a sound investment for Richard Childress Racing
Ty Dillon calls on NASCAR to "do a better job" after Austin Cindric penalty
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Phoenix
Ty Dillon calls on NASCAR to "do a better job" after Austin Cindric penalty
Ty Dillon and Petty GMS to part ways after 2022
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Ty Dillon and Petty GMS to part ways after 2022
More from
Stewart-Haas Racing
The most unexpected driver and team breakups in modern NASCAR Cup history
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
The most unexpected driver and team breakups in modern NASCAR Cup history
Sheldon Creed debuts a partnership on the cutting edge of brain optimization
NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
Pocono
Sheldon Creed debuts a partnership on the cutting edge of brain optimization
Sheldon Creed 'paid the tax' and breaks through in NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
Atlanta
Sheldon Creed 'paid the tax' and breaks through in NASCAR O'Reilly
Latest news
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
General
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Japanese GP
1 h
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
2 h
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe