Skip to main content

Earnhardt posts fastest speed in Daytona 500 practices

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still out front at Daytona International Speedway.

A day after winning the first of two qualifying races for the Daytona 500, Earnhardt topped the speed chart during practice Friday.

Earnhardt averaged 194.405 mph on one of his 24 laps during the second of two sessions Friday. He also posted the best 10-lap average, which is considered one of the better indicators of true speed at superspeedways.

Earnhardt and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kasey Kahne (193.528), Jimmie Johnson (193.096) and Jeff Gordon (193.079) were the only drivers to top 193 mph.

Danica Patrick was the fifth fastest on the day, but she broke a water line in the second session and spent time in the garage. It shouldn't be an issue for Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500.

Ten cars opted not to practice Friday, including defending Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick and former champs Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.

Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, JJ Yeley, Reed Sorenson, Mike Wallace, Johnny Sauter and Michael McDowell also failed to turn a lap in either session.

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.