At-track photos: Thursday at Kentucky

By | Published: July 7, 2016 36

Jerry Markland/Getty Images

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks to NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and NBC announcer Dale Jarrett in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Courtesy of Kentucky Speedway

This device is known as a tire dragon. Yes, a tire dragon.

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Courtesy of Kentucky Speedway

It even has a nice logo.

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Courtesy of Kentucky Speedway

Kentucky was repaved and reconfigured after last year's event at the 1.5-mile track. The track used the tire dragon to work more rubber into the brand-new racing surface.

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Courtesy of Kentucky Speedway

These tires came off the cars after a test last month and were used in an effort to wear off the 'new' and hopefully speed up the process of creating multiple racing grooves.

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Courtesy of Kentucky Speedway

These tires came off the cars after a test last month and were used in an effort to wear off the 'new' and hopefully speed up the process of creating multiple racing grooves.

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Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 19 ARRIS Surfboard Toyota, climbs into his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Smithfield Ford, drives through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

A detailed view of the hood of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, steps into his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Ty Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Red Kap/Alsco Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Ford, pushes his car in the garage area with crew members during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 88 Jack Link's Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The No. 62 South Point Chevrolet driven by Brendan Gaughan sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Justin Marks, driver of the No. 42 Katerra Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Crew members push Brennan Poole's No. 48 DC Solar Chevrolet through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 TaxSlayer.com/VisitMyrtleBeach.com Chevrolet, talks to Brendan Gaughan, driver of the No. 62 South Point Chevrolet, during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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FS1 broadcast

Spencer Gallagher gets loose and sends Kyle Busch's No. 18 KBM Toyota into the wall Thursday night at Kentucky Speedway.

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@zack_albert

Well-wishes for @Matt_Tifft on the @RedHorseRacing No. 11 with @Brett_Moffitt subbing in. #NASCAR

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 51 ARRIS Toyota, leads the field past the green flag during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 51 ARRIS Toyota, leads the grid past the green flag during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Timothy Peters, driver of the No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Grant Enfinger, driver of the No. 24 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 51 ARRIS Toyota, poses with the Keystone Light Pole award after qualifying for the pole position for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 98 Safelite Auto Glass/Curb Records Toyota, talks to Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Great Lakes Flooring/Menards Toyota, during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Erik Jones, driver of the No 20 Reser's Fine Foods Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.

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Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images

Fans look on during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.