PRACTICE 1: Results
Kevin Harvick kicked off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend atop the leaderboard, posting the fastest lap during opening practice on Friday at Dover International Speedway. The current series leader wheeled around the “Monster Mile” in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet at 165.145 mph.
Hendrick Motorsports‘ Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second-quickest in his No. 88 Chevrolet (164.707 mph).
Next were Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Kyle Busch (164.489 mph) and Carl Edwards (164.144 mph) in third and fourth, respectively, while Roush Fenway Racing‘s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top five (163.815 mph).
Defending race winner — and 10-time Dover champ — Jimmie Johnson got off to a slow start in 21st (161.609 mph).
In the opening moments of the 80-minute session, Danica Patrick‘s No. 10 lost its engine causing the Chevrolet to burst into flames. The No. 14 of Tony Stewart and the No. 1 of Jamie McMurray got caught up in the melee after sliding into the leaked oil from Patrick’s entry. The incident brought out the red flag.
RELATED: Patrick, Stewart, McMurray involved in wreck at Dover
The No. 41 of Kurt Busch had gear issues in the first half of practice, marking the third SHR entry to run into trouble during the session. “I got lucky, honestly,” Busch said on catching the issue in time. He earned the ninth-fastest speed (163.607 mph).
The Sprint Cup field returns to action for Coors Light Pole Qualifying at 3:45 p.m. ET (FS1).