Penske Racing's Kurt Busch leads lone Friday Cup practice at Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Penske Racing's Kurt Busch paced Friday's NASCAR Sprint Cup practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Busch, who is preparing for his final race with crew chief Pat Tryson, led the field that is preparing Sunday the season-ending Ford 400 at the track, posting a top lap of 173.433 mph.
Juan Pablo Montoya was second with a top lap of 173.138 in his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, but he also spun across the track in the session. He did not hit anything nor incur any damage to his car.
Richard Childress Racing's Clint Bowyer was third, followed by Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman and Joe Gibbs Racing's Joey Logano. SHR's Tony Stewart, Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr., RCR's Kevin Harvick and Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann rounded out the top 10.
Busch, Montoya, Newman, Stewart and Edwards are all Chase contenders.
Other Chase contenders and their position in the session are: Roush Fenway's Greg Biffle (11th), Richard Petty Motorsports' Kasey Kahne (13th), Hendrick's Mark Martin (14th), Hendrick's Jeff Gordon (17th), Hendrick's Jimmie Johnson (21st), Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin (26th).
Johnson enters the Ford 400 with a 108-point edge over teammate Mark Martin. They are the only two drivers capable of winning the championship at this point.
Qualifying is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. EST today with the race slated for 3:15 p.m. Sunday.
