Jason Leffler expects to qualify on time for Sunday's Brickyard 400. Credit: Autostock

Leffler having fun with one-race deal at Indy

Haas driver fastest in first Brickyard practice

SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- For a "fun deal," Jason Leffler sure had a lot of fun Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

ALSO •   1st practice speeds

In what was supposed to be a shakedown session for Saturday's Bud Pole Qualifying, Leffler put up the fastest lap of the day during Brickyard 400 practice, turning the 2 1/2-mile oval at 184.460 mph.

Leffler, in a Chevrolet, edged Dodge teammates Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin.

What started as a one-off attempt has gotten more complicated for Leffler. He's running a second car from the Haas stable as a teammate to Ward Burton, with Bootie Barker coming over from Leffler's Busch Series team to help out.

"It started off as a fun deal," Leffler said. "But it's getting to be a pretty serious deal now."

Putting up an unofficial lap of 180.787 mph in testing -- and then first in Brickyard 400 practice -- will do that to you.

Leffler was planning on spending Friday's practice session working on little things, knowing that the car has the speed necessary to make the show.

"We'll just try to adjust to the conditions, check out the balance," he said. "We changed the front fender (since the test) and have the race motor under the hood. We're looking for a smooth day today."

Leffler also posted a fast lap during testing at Indy earlier this season. Credit: Autostock

The speed was still there Friday, as Leffler was in the top five after running four laps, the best being 181.815. Then near the end of the session, Leffler suddenly shot up the charts.

Leffler has competed in the Brickyard 400 twice previously, with a best finish of 26th in 2001. He was 17th in the 2000 Indianapolis 500.

"Racing at Indianapolis is an incredible feeling, with all the history here," Leffler said. "(Indy-style cars) are a lot harder to manage. It takes a different type of driving style."

Leffler's expecting a busy weekend, running Saturday night's Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park in addition to the activities at the Brickyard. Even though the No. 60 has no owner points, Leffler is confident that he'll be in the starting field when the green flag flies on Sunday.

"We'll qualify here, then go to IRP," he said. "We should make it on time. Otherwise, we shouldn't be here."