Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kurt Busch posted the fastest time in the first and only practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series in anticipations for Sunday’s Jockey 250 at Road America. Busch’s Monster Energy Camaro posted the fastest time on his final lap of practice, with a 133.849.
Younger brother Kyle, who led a majority of the session, came home second just a few tenths shy of the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion. NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric, who is making a Cup start at Road America, brought his No. 33 Ford home third, with Ryan Blaney edging out Tyler Reddick for fourth place in the session.
Denny Hamlin finished just outside the top five, with road course ace AJ Allmendinger clocking in a razor-close lap at a nearly identical speed to take seventh. Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Chase Briscoe finish out the top ten.
It seems that Turn 11, also known as “the kink” could be a trouble spot for many on Sunday as a handful of Cup drivers became all too familiar with the turn. Brad Keselowski, Quin Houff, and the younger Busch brother found themselves in trouble in the right-hander, with Busch having to move to a backup car thanks to getting into the inside wall.
'@KyleBusch is going to a backup after crashing in practice at @roadamerica. #NBCRacingWeekend // #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/clszpm44nv
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2021
Additionally, Ryan Preece will also move to a backup car after driving off-course and suffering major front-end damage to his No. 37 Camaro.
Not how you want to start if you're @ryanpreece_. ? pic.twitter.com/RNLjqzq3qx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 3, 2021
Both Preece and Busch will be forced to start at the rear of the field on Sunday regardless of their qualifying position.
Next up for the Cup Series, they’ll qualify on Sunday at 11:05 a.m. EST on CNBC before the anticipated 2:30 p.m. start time of the Jockey 250. Fans can enjoy the race via NBC, the Motor Racing Network, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
