The Kentucky Speedway was rumbling today as the NASCAR Nationwide Series took to the 1.5-mile oval for two test sessions that lasted for a total of five hours and 30 minutes. Both sessions was broken up into two groups with one in the morning and the other being in the afternoon.
The fastest car during the morning session was Paul Menard after posting a fast time of 31.040 seconds, 173.969 mph. Menard turned a total of 20 laps with his fastest lap coming on his sixth time around the 1.5-mile oval. Menard will be making his first start in the series since winning the event at the Michigan International Speedway two weekend’s ago.
Finishing right behind Menard in the second spot was Brian Scott after positing a fast time of 31.042 seconds, 173.958 mph. on his second of 25 total laps. Scott trailed the leader by just 0.002 seconds when the event concluded. This coming 14th annual John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300 will mark his 157th career start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Ryan Blaney, who is driving the No. 12 for Penske Racing, ended up third fastest on the speed chart with a lap of 31.171 seconds, 173.238 mph. This lap came on his seventh circuit around the Kentucky Speedway after running a total of just 15 laps. Blaney comes into the weekend as the winner of the Spetember event.
Trevor Bayne was the lone car who took a 10 consecutive lap run during the opening session and had an average speed of 169.503 mph. He turned a total of 28 laps and finished 10th in the session.
Trevor Bayne found himself sitting atop the scoring pylon after posting a lap of 31.010 seconds, 174.133 mph in the afternoon session. Bayne turned a total of 36 laps in his Advocare Ford with his fastest lap coming late into the run. Bayne hopes this extra track time will help him go for his first top-10 finish in 2014 and maybe even his first win of the year.
Brian Scott, who led nearly all afternoon in the second session, ended up once again in the second spot. Scott posted his fastest lap on his first of 73 turns around the Kentucky Speedway on a beautiful afternoon and ended up just 0.179 seconds behind the leader. He hopes to capture his first NASCAR Nationwide Series win this weekend.
Paul Menard, who was the fastest in the morning session, ended up third when the red and black flags was waved to end the three hour test session this afternoon. Menard posted a fast time of 31.284 seconds, 172.612 mph. on his 44th lap around the speedway. He ended up being just 0.274 seconds behind the practice leader.
Six total drivers posted a 10 consecutive lap average in the afternoon session with the fastest of those being Regan Smith. Smith had an average speed of 169.606 mph. during his run and ended up being 10th on the speed chart. The other five drivers to make a 10 lap run was Paul Menard, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Ryan Sieg and Martin Roy.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series will hit the track tomorrow for the first of two scheduled practice sessions. You can watch it live at 6:30 p.m. Et, on FOX Sports 1.
About Me: Brett has been following the sport of NASCAR since the beginning of the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Since Brett was 13, he has had a passion of chasing a job in sports that not many get the opportunity of doing. He has been in the NASCAR media since the middle of the 2010 season. Since then, he has been a part of many racing podcast shows to improve his talents. He has written for racingonfuel.com and theracingwheel.com. Currently, Brett writes for motorsportsnat.com and TracksideChatter.com. You can find him on twitter @NASCAR_Brett.
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