Race Weekend Central

Justin Allgaier Tops Opening XFINITY Series Practice of 2017

The XFINITY Series took to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway on Friday, marking its first practice session of the season. Justin Allgaier turned a lap of 193.890 mph, shooting him to the top of the board.

Allgaier ran 32 laps, the most of the 43 drivers who turned a time on Friday. In the July race at Daytona, the No. 7 car finished in the runner-up position to Aric Almirola whom posted the 19th fastest time in opening practice.

“The car in the draft was really, really strong,” Allgaier said. “You come to Daytona and have high hopes and you’re excited, but when you get out on the race track and pass all the cars that you want to pass and do the things you want to do and have that all go in your favorite, it turns into a great day.”

Brad Keselowski turned the second quickest time (193.840 mph), while Tyler Reddick was third on the board (193.611 mph). Allgaier’s teammate William Byron was fourth (193.536 mph) and Spencer Gallagher rounded out the top five (193.428 mph).

Elliott Sadler, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Brandon Jones and Blake Koch completed the top 10.

The top 27 drivers in practice turned a lap of over 187 mph, all participating in the draft at one point. There was one incident in the session with just over 20 minutes to go when Chris Cockrum seemed to have blown an engine.

18 cars made a run of at least 10 consecutive laps, led by Keselowski at 190.325 mph.

Click here for full opening practice results. 

About the author

Dustin joined the Frontstretch team at the beginning of the 2016 season. 2020 marks his sixth full-time season covering the sport that he grew up loving. His dream was to one day be a NASCAR journalist, thus why he attended Ithaca College (Class of 2018) to earn a journalism degree. Since the ripe age of four, he knew he wanted to be a storyteller.

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