Kurt Busch, David Ragan, Erik Jones fastest in first Cup practice at Talladega

By Jerry BonkowskiApr 26, 2019, 2:38 PM EDT

Getty Images

Kurt Busch was fastest in Friday’s first of two NASCAR Cup practice sessions at Talladega Superspeedway.

The driver of the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet recorded the top speed of 202.671 mph in the first use of tapered spacers in competition at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. NASCAR had previously used restrictor plates at both Talladega and Daytona International Speedway since 1988.

Of note, the top speed in Cup practice at Talladega last fall was 204.227 mph, with 24 cars topping 200 mph in the lone session. Friday, 21 drivers topped 200 mph.

Ford driver David Ragan, who won this race at Talladega in 2013, was second-fastest Friday at 202.654 mph, followed by Erik Jones’ Toyota (also at 202.654 mph), Michael McDowell’s Ford (202.641 mph) and Chase Elliott’s Chevy (202.624 mph).

Current Cup points leader Kyle Busch was eighth-fastest (202.068 mph). Other notables included William Byron (sixth, 202.615 mph), Jimmie Johnson (10th, 201.219 mph), Kevin Harvick (11th, 201.151 mph), defending Cup Series champ Joey Logano (18th, 200.339 mph), Clint Bowyer (20th, 200.238 mph), Brad Keselowski (21st, 200.238 mph) and Richmond winner Martin Truex Jr. (23rd, 199.085 mph).

Harvick also recorded the most laps (40) of any of the 37 drivers in the session.

Chase Elliott was atop the 10-best consecutive lap average (198.451 mph), followed by Ragan (198.291), Keselowski (198.241), Paul Menard (198.215), McDowell (198.206), Aric Almirola (198.130), Daniel Suarez (198.066), Ryan Blaney (198.066), Kurt Busch (198.034) and Johnson (198.012).

The second and final Cup practice of the weekend takes place later this afternoon from 4:35 to 5:25 p.m. ET. Qualifying for Sunday’s GEICO 500 takes place Saturday.

Click here for the full speed chart and the 10-best consecutive lap average.

MORE: Ryan Newman fastest in 2nd Cup practice at ‘Dega; six cars over 204 mph

Follow @JerryBonkowski

Monday Charlotte Cup race: Start time, TV info, weather

By Mike HembreeMay 29, 2023, 10:50 AM EDT

After two days of soaking rains, the longest race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is set for a 3 p.m. ET start Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 600-mile marathon was scheduled for a 6:21 p.m. start Sunday, but persistent rain forced a postponement to Memorial Day.

A look at the Monday Cup schedule:

Details for Monday’s Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway

(All times Eastern)

START: The command to start engines will be given at 3:12 p.m. by USO official Barry Morris and retired drivers Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte. … The green flag is scheduled to be waved at 3:23 p.m.

PRERACE: Driver introductions are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. … The invocation will be given by retired Air Force Master Sergeant Monty Self at 3 p.m. … The national anthem will be performed by U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Elizabeth Marino at 3:04 p.m.

DISTANCE: The race is 400 laps (600 miles) on the 1.5-mile track.

STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 100. Stage 2 ends at Lap 200. Stage 3 ends at Lap 300.

STARTING LINEUP: Charlotte Cup starting lineup

TV/RADIO: Fox will broadcast the race at 3 p.m. … Performance Racing Network coverage begins at 3 p.m. and can be heard on goprn.com. … SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the PRN broadcast.

STREAMING: Foxsports.com

FORECAST: Weather Underground — The forecast calls for overcast skies with a high of 71. There is a 15% chance of rain at the start of the race.

LAST TIME: Denny Hamlin won last year’s 600 as the race was extended to two overtimes, making it the longest race in distance in Cup history.

Monday Charlotte Xfinity race: Start time, TV info, weather

By Mike HembreeMay 29, 2023, 10:02 AM EDT

Charlotte Motor Speedway’s rescheduled NASCAR Xfinity Series race is set for an 11 a.m. start Monday.

The race originally was scheduled Saturday, but was postponed by weather to noon Monday. After Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 Cup Series race also was postponed to Monday, the Xfinity Series race was moved to an 11 a.m. start.

A look at the Monday Xfinity schedule:

Details for Monday’s Xfinity race at Charlotte Motor Speedway

(All times Eastern)

START: The command to start engines will be given at 11:01 a.m. by representatives of race sponsor Alsco Uniforms … The green flag is scheduled to be waved at 11:12 a.m.

PRERACE: Xfinity garage opened at 8 a.m.

DISTANCE: The race is 200 laps (300 miles) on the 1.5-mile track.

STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 45. Stage 2 ends at Lap 90.

STARTING LINEUP: Charlotte Xfinity starting lineup (Justin Haley will replace Kyle Busch in the No. 10 Kaulig Racing car).

TV/RADIO: FS1 will broadcast the race at 11 a.m. … Performance Racing Network coverage begins at 11 a.m. and can be heard on goprn.com. … SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the PRN broadcast.

STREAMING: Foxsports.com

FORECAST: Weather Underground — The forecast calls for overcast skies with a high of 71. There is a 15% chance of rain at the start of the race.

LAST TIME: Josh Berry won last May’s Xfinity race. Ty Gibbs was second and Sam Mayer third.

Justin Haley replaces Kyle Busch in Kaulig car for Xfinity race

By Mike HembreeMay 29, 2023, 7:54 AM EDT

Justin Haley will drive Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 car in Monday morning’s scheduled NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Haley replaces Cup Series regular Kyle Busch, who was scheduled to drive for Kaulig in the 300-miler. The race was postponed from Saturday to Monday because of weather, giving NASCAR a 900-mile doubleheader at the track.

Busch decided to concentrate on the Coca-Cola 600 Cup race, scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.

Haley also will race in the 600.

Ty Gibbs is scheduled to run in both races.

Read more about NASCAR

Details for Monday’s Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway

(All times Eastern)

Read more about NASCAR

Details for Monday’s Xfinity race at Charlotte Motor Speedway

(All times Eastern)

Read more about NASCAR

Read more about NASCAR