Team Penske’s dominance continued in Friday’s sole NASCAR Cup practice session at ISM Raceway.
Ryan Blaney was fastest of the 36 cars that took to the track at 141.716 mph, followed by teammate and Atlanta race winner Brad Keselowski (140.680 mph). Kyle Larson was third (140.406), followed by Chase Elliott (140.367) and Kyle Busch (140.329).
Sixth through 10th were Jimmie Johnson (140.198 mph), Alex Bowman (139.980), Erik Jones (139.958), Martin Truex Jr. (139.898) and Matt DiBenedetto (139.800).
Blaney’s speed far exceeded the first practice speed at Phoenix in November (137.862 mph) and last March (138.281 mph).
“We were alright the first run and kept getting better,” Blaney told the Motor Racing Network after the session. "(It’s) nice to have speed. Hopefully that carries on to tonight (in qualifying).”
There will be two other practice sessions on Saturday.
However, later today, Cup qualifying – multi-car, three rounds – takes place at 6:10 p.m. ET.