Toyota dominates opening Cup practice at New Hampshire
After sweeping both Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last year, the Toyotas were stout again in first practice on Friday.
Photo by: Action Sports Photography
Martin Truex Jr. led the Camry parade in single lap speeds. He posted the fastest lap — 133.562 mph — on his 18th circuit around the Magic Mile. Carl Edwards was second quick with a lap of 133.380 mph. The No. 19 Toyota jumped to the top of the speed chart with 15 minutes remaining and knocked off his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, who established a fast pace early with a speed of 132.956 mph before ending up fifth.
Kyle Busch (133.100 mph) was third followed by Kurt Busch (133.091 mph), Hamlin, Ryan Newman (132.794 mph), Jamie McMurray (132.641 mph), AJ Allmendinger ((132.618 mph) Chase Elliott (132.591 mph) and Matt Kenseth (132.462 mph).
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Only three cars completed Best 10 Consecutive Lap Averages during the 85-minute session on Friday. Edwards led the category with an average run of 129.051 mph followed by Tony Stewart (128.642 mph) and Alex Bowman (127.591 mph), who is filling in for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt is sidelined due to concussion-like symptoms.
Veteran No. 88 spotter T.J. Majors, who is working with Bowman this weekend, complimented the sub midway through the session.
“Nice run,” Majors told the driver. ”I think if you correct the little mistakes on the sticker run, you'll be ok.”
Bowman was 13th in single lap runs.
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