Gibbs Clocks fastest Time in Final NASCAR Practice; Hamlin Remains Title Favorite
Phoenix, Arizona – Ty Gibbs established himself as a force too be reckoned with, posting the quickest lap time during the final practice session ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race. Despite Gibbs’ remarkable performance, denny Hamlin remains the top-ranked contender vying for the title.
The Toyota Camry driver completed a lap around Phoenix Raceway in 27.300 seconds, achieving an average speed of 131.868 mph. He outpaced competitors Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Ryan preece, and Hamlin to secure the top spot.Chase Elliott led Chevrolet’s efforts with a sixth-place finish, followed by Ross Chastain, Josh Berry, William Byron, and Christopher Bell rounding out the top ten.
Kyle Larson demonstrated consistent performance, logging the most laps at 69, four more than Hamlin. Conversely, Chase Briscoe faced challenges, completing onyl 24 laps, with Zane Smith, Riley Herbst, and AJ Allmendinger trailing behind in lap count.
Championship Contenders Face Setbacks
The practice session wasn’t without its hurdles for the Championship 4 drivers. Briscoe experienced a tire puncture and required garage time for suspension adjustments. Larson briefly brushed against the wall during the session, while Hamlin shortened a practice run due to vibrations and afterward encountered a clutch issue. Briscoe stands as the sole championship hopeful who hasn’t achieved a consistent string of at least ten consecutive laps.
Qualifying is slated for Saturday, preceding the NASCAR XFINITY Series race. This final opportunity will allow teams to fine-tune their setups before the championship showdown.
| Driver | Lap Time | Average speed (mph) | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Gibbs | 27.300 | 131.868 | 1st |
| Ryan Blaney | N/A | N/A | 2nd |
| austin Cindric | N/A | N/A | 3rd |
| Ryan Preece | N/A | N/A | 4th |
| Denny Hamlin | N/A | N/A | 5th |
Did You Know? Phoenix Raceway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race every year since 1988.
Pro Tip: Track position is crucial at Phoenix Raceway due to the difficulty of overtaking. Teams will prioritize qualifying well to gain an advantage.
What impact will these practice times have on the qualifying results?
Who do you predict will perform the best during the final qualifying session?
Understanding NASCAR Practice Sessions
NASCAR practice sessions serve as vital opportunities for teams to assess vehicle performance, experiment with setups, and gather data crucial for optimizing race strategies. These sessions allow drivers to familiarize themselves with the track conditions and provide valuable feedback to their crew chiefs. The data collected during practice helps teams identify areas for betterment and make necessary adjustments to maximize their competitiveness.
The importance of practice has evolved in recent years. With changes to the racing schedule and vehicle regulations,teams must efficiently utilize practice time to gather as much information as possible. the ability to quickly analyze data and implement changes is now more critical than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions About NASCAR Practice
- What is the purpose of a NASCAR practice session?
- How does lap time affect a driver’s chances in the race?
- What challenges might drivers face during practice?
- How important is qualifying in NASCAR?
- What does it mean when a driver “brushes the wall”?
NASCAR practice allows teams to fine-tune their vehicles and prepare for qualifying and the race, gathering data on tire wear, track conditions, and vehicle handling.
Faster lap times during practice indicate better vehicle setup and driver comfort, perhaps translating into a competitive advantage during qualifying and the race.
Drivers may encounter challenges such as tire wear, adjusting to track conditions, and perfecting their vehicle setups to maximize speed and handling.
Qualifying is very important, as it determines the starting grid for the race, with better starting positions providing a notable advantage.
When a driver “brushes the wall,” it means they lightly contact the retaining wall around the track, which can potentially damage the vehicle and affect performance.
