Mixed bag for Chase drivers in morning practice

Chase driver Carl Edwards, needing a strong showing after last week’s 20th-place finish at Martinsville, led Saturday morning practice at Texas with a lap at 196.342 mph. Edwards is sixth in the standings, 20 points behind Chase leader Jeff Gordon.

The two drivers behind Edwards, however, weren’t as fortunate. Brad Keselowski (seventh in points) showed little improvement over his 26th-place qualifying effort, practicing 25th at 190.691 mph. Kevin Harvick (eighth in points) was 16th on the speed chart at 192.616 mph.

Both Harvick, who was 11th in final practice, and Keselowski, who was 14th, likely will need a victory in one of the next two races to advance past the Chase’s Eliminator Round.