Practice Rundown: Saturday in Las Vegas

By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Final Practice

Ryan Blaney led the way in the final practice session for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.

Blaney laid down a lap at 186.445 mph to lead the way for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, becoming the first driver on the weekend to top Kyle Larson in a Cup or XFINITY Series practice. He’ll lead to field to the green in Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after claiming the pole on Friday.

Larson followed with a speed of 183.136 mph. Defending winner Martin Truex Jr. (186.091 mph) slotted in third, with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott (186.059 mph) and William Byron (186.002 mph) completing the top five.

Ryan Newman (185.989 mph), Brad Keselowski (185.784 mph), Daniel Suarez (185.720 mph), Joey Logano (185.554 mph) and Erik Jones (185.478 mph) rounded out the top 10.

Larson led the way for drivers that completed 10-consecutive laps with an average speed of 183.935 mph. Kevin Harvick, Truex, Keselowski and Elliott followed.

The field continued to struggle around the 1.5-mile oval, fighting against heavy wind gusts as they attempted to dial in their cars for Sunday’s race.

Coverage for the Pennzoil 400 will begin on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Final Practice Results

Practice 1

Kyle Larson continued his speedy ways in Las Vegas Motor Speedway, topping the second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice session of the weekend ahead of Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.

The Californian’s 187.559-mph lap stood as the quickest in the session, keeping Larson on top of the charts for the fourth-consecutive practice between Cup and the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

Ryan Newman ended a strong session in second for Richard Childress Racing with a speed of 187.454 mph. The struggling Jimmie Johnson (186.587 mph) followed in third to inspire hope for his weekend, with Atlanta Motor Speedway winner Kevin Harvick (185.637 mph) and Alex Bowman (185.408 mph) rounding out the top five.

Ryan Blaney (185.325 mph), Darrell Wallace Jr. (185.319 mph) Clint Bowyer (185.306 mph), Michael McDowell (185.103 mph) and Martin Truex Jr. (185.096 mph) completed the top 10.

A total of 19 drivers ran 10-consecutive laps or more. Harvick was fastest among them with an average speed of 184.663 mph. Johnson, Truex, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch following to complete the top five.

The session was completed with little issue. The lone problem of note came from Denny Hamlin, who was briefly sidelined when his brake duct unraveled. The 2016 Daytona 500 winner quickly returned to the track.

The Cup Series will return for final practice at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Practice 1 Results