Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing show speed through only MENCS practice
Adjustments are made to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 Jimmy John’s Ford piloted by Kevin Harvick during the only Monster Energy Cup Series practice. Harvick topped the practice charts with a top speed of 204.227 mph and a best time of 46.889 seconds.
October 13, 2018
Topping the speed charts during the only NASCAR Monster Energy Series practice of race weekend was Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, with a top speed of 204.227 mph and a best time of 46.889 seconds.
Harvick’s teammate, Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Bacon for Life also for Stewart-Haas Racing, took the runner-up spot with a top speed of 203.957 mph and a best time of 46.951 seconds. Almirola has came close to winning several times this season and has had a lot of success in restrictor plate racing in his career. This second place practice result adds to Almirola’s likelihood to do well in tomorrow’s race.
“Having a fast car that’ll run up front, lead, and drives good,” Almirola said. “I feel like our car does those things, so I’m looking forward to the race. I’ve got a good feeling about it.”
Finishing third was Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Coca-Cola Racing Family Ford for Team Penske, with a top speed of 202.478 mph and a best time of 47.294 seconds. Logano won the race at Talladega earlier this season and has been considered one of the best drivers at drafting, which will play a major role in tomorrow’s race.
“I feel pretty good about [going into the race],” Logano said. “It’s Talladega and anything can happen. The last few times we’ve been here we’ve had a pretty fast car, so we’re hoping to have that again.”
Crew member of the Penske No. 12 Rev Ford team works on driver Ryan Blaney’s car during Monster Energy Cup Series practice. Blaney is currently only ten points above the cutline to advance to the next round of the playoffs and finished 17th in practice.
Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 14 Cummins/Rush Truck Centers Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, came in fourth with a top speed of 202.431 mph and a best time of 47.305 seconds. Rounding out the top five was Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the No. 17 SunnyD Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, with a top speed 202.388 mph and a best time of 47.315 seconds. Stenhouse Jr. had trouble early in practice when some debris fell from his car leading to practice being red flagged, but the problem was minor and Stenhouse Jr. was able to rebound.
The majority of the practice session the drivers focused on pack runs to imitate the kind of racing that will be seen tomorrow. Some drivers such as Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Rev Ford for Team Penske, made single car runs as well to get a better feel of their car since this will be their only time on the track before qualifying later today. Blaney has struggled at Talladega in the past, and with being only ten points above the playoff cutoff, needs a good finish in tomorrow’s race.
“I’m not really changing up the way we’re going to race,” Blaney said. “If you’re thinking about [points] all the time it’s really easy to get behind the eight ball. We’ll just go out and do what we know how to do and just try to stay out of trouble, and try to have a good day.”
Dawsonville native, Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Napa Night Vision Lamps Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, came in 23rd with a top speed of 200.381 mph and a best time of 47.789 seconds. Elliott is already locked into the playoffs, so he has nothing to lose going into raceday.
Fellow Georgia driver, David Ragan, driver of the No. 38 1,000Bulbs.com Ford for Front Row Motorsports, finished 30th with a top speed of 193.135 mph and a best time of 49.582 seconds.
The Monster Energy Cup Series drivers hit the track again at 3:30 pm CDT for qualifying. Fans can tune to NBC Sports to catch the action.
