Kyle Busch Tops Practice at Richmond; Championship Implications Loom
Kyle Busch recorded the fastest lap during Friday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Richmond Raceway, clocking in at 118.172 mph (22.848 seconds). Busch’s performance positioned him ahead of John Hunter Nemechek, who posted the second-fastest lap at 118.110 mph, and Denny Hamlin at 117.909 mph.
The practice session’s top five was rounded out by Noah Gragson (117.899 mph) and Corey Heim, piloting a fourth entry for 23XI Racing, who ran at 117.575 mph. Kyle Larson followed closely in sixth at 117.463 mph, with Ty Dillon, Justin Haley, and Cole Custer completing the top nine. Riley Herbst finished in tenth at 117.305 mph.
Defending race winner Austin Dillon was 11th fastest at 117.269 mph, while championship point leader William Byron struggled, finishing 24th in practice. Byron has the opportunity to secure the regular-season championship on race day.
Other notable performances included Brad Keselowski in 25th, Chase Elliott in 29th, Alex Bowman 30th, and Josh Berry in 34th.
Two incidents occurred during practice: Joey Logano experienced a right front tire failure, resulting in wall contact in Turn 4, while Carson Hocevar spun off Turn 4 but avoided any contact.
In terms of best consecutive lap averages, Busch again led the field, followed by Larson, Todd Gilliland, Gragson, and Nemechek. A total of 38 teams are entered for the race at Richmond Raceway.
