Race Weekend Central

Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Busch Fastest In Phoenix Practice Sessions

Martin Truex, Jr., posted the fastest time in round two of practice to lead the way for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Truex, a four time winner in 2016, sped around the 1-mile desert oval at an average speed of 136.358 mph, edging out Brad Keselowski for the fastest lap of the session.

Jamie McMurray put up the third quickest lap, slotting in just ahead of teammate Kyle Larson, who had the top speed in the initial round of practice on Friday. Joey Logano was tops among Chase contenders in fifth.

In final practice for Sunday’s CAN-AM 500, Kyle Busch paced the field with a lap of 136.358. Busch, the defending series champion, has one career Cup win at Phoenix back in his 2005 rookie season.

The lone incident of the final round occurred when Larson went high in turn two and spun coming off of the corner. Larson didn’t make contact with anything and was able to continue without any further issues.

Two of the most consistent cars of the Saturday sessions were the Penske Fords of teammates Keselowski and Logano. Keselowski was second fastest in both, while Logano posted the fifth and thirds quickest times respectively.

Kevin Harvick, the overwhelming favorite coming into the weekend, wasn’t spectacular by any means. Harvick timed in at sixth and 14th. However, considering Harvick’s record at Phoenix, there is little cause for concern at this point. Harvick has eight career wins at the track, including a photo finish with Carl Edwards this past March. Harvick is basically in a must-win situation this weekend in order to advance to the final round of the chase at Homestead.

About the author

Frank Velat has been an avid follower of NASCAR and other motorsports for over 20 years. He brings a blend of passionate fan and objective author to his work. Frank offers unique perspectives that everyone can relate to, remembering the sport's past all the while embracing its future. Follow along with @FrankVelat on Twitter.

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DoninAjax

“(Brian) France saw his value in ushering NASCAR into the 21st Century, making bold decisions while using the constantly growing technology space to help bring the sport closer to fans.”

You can’t make this stuff up.

Meanwhile back in the real world…

“Joey Logano joined roughly 60 members of the NASCAR community this week attending the funeral of a young boy whom they’d never met. The poignant display of uniformed crew members and drivers was all for Jake Leatherman, who died earlier this month following a long battle with leukemia. Charlotte news anchor Molly Grantham of WBTV had posted a request from Leatherman’s mother asking for people from the NASCAR garage to show up in uniform for his funeral. Logano and fellow drivers Matt DiBenedetto, Ryan Ellis and JJ Yeley were among those who answered the call, along with crew members from teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports (some of whom served as pallbearers). In addition, Logano’s wife Brittany arranged for a custom firesuit for Leatherman to be buried with.(USA Today)(11-13-2016)”

kb

What a sad day. But happy the mother’s wishes were realized. God Bless.

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