Notes: Pruett dominant in both Mexico practice runs

MEXICO CITY -- Scott Pruett won the pole position last season in his first NASCAR race in Mexico, and with two top-two runs in practice at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, made notice he was ready for another. Not that he was limiting his aspirations to starting first in Sunday's Nationwide Series Corona Mexico 200.

"I hope it's a race-winning car," said Pruett, who was leading in the final laps a year ago before he and teammate Juan Montoya got together causing Pruett to spin and ultimately finish fifth. "The way we rolled the car off the truck this morning was exactly how I raced my car last year so, so far, so good."

Fast facts

What	Corona Mexico 200
When	Green, 2:22 p.m. ET Sunday
TV	ESPN/Deportes, 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio	MRN (Sirius Ch. 28), 2 p.m. ET

Loop | Numbers | Notes | Track

Kyle Busch, who finished seventh here two years ago in his only appearance, never made a qualifying run, a team representative said, and was fourth in final practice.

Colin Braun, who was second in Happy Hour and third in the first practice, had a little different view.

"As far as qualifying goes, I think a lot of guys are going to tape up and try to go on a quick lap, right on Lap 1," Braun said. "With our situation [ineligible for a top 30 guaranteed starting spot] and having to qualify to be in the field, we can't put all our eggs in one basket on Lap 1; but I'll think we'll be pretty strong, even so."

Carl Edwards was fourth a year ago, but color him a little less than enthused after his No. 60 Roush Fenway Ford was 24th in the first practice and only improved to 18th in final practice.

"We didn't tape up and make a [qualifying] run but I don't know if we're a fourth-place car right now -- and it's a little frustrating," Edwards said after leaving a debriefing session with Braun, Boris Said and their crew chiefs. "I know it's not the car because Colin's running fast enough [so] it's not the car.

"I'm sure we can get it there because this has always been a good track for me from the first time we unloaded here, [three] years ago, or whenever it was. I think everybody's just stepped it up and I've got to step it up -- it takes me a little while to get going on a road course."

Said, who has a "loaner car" from full-time Nationwide Series Team Rensi Motorsports, like Pruett is anxious to get his first NASCAR win in a car, after he previously won a Truck Series road race in Sonoma, Calif.

"Frankie [Stoddard, No Fear Racing crew chief], and Rensi Racing -- they gave me a great car," Said said. "It's probably the best chance I've had to win, but I'm a little skeptical of the Toyotas, with this new [carburetor spacer] restrictor in there, or whatever they're calling it, the Toyotas really have an advantage down the straightaway.

"But I know Ford's been making a lot of progress. I think there's five guys that can really win this race and it's going to be tough. You never know. If we can be in position with five or 10 laps to go, we'll see what happens after that." (Continued)