Larson, Vickers fastest in Nationwide practices

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kyle Larson and Brian Vickers split leaderboard honors in a pair of practice sessions Friday for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Larson, driving the No. 32 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet, clocked a fast lap of 177.294 mph around the historic 2.5-mile track with about three minutes left in the opening 90-minute session. Vickers, piloting the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, was just a tick faster in the final practice with a best lap at 177.855 mph.

In the opening session, Brian Scott was second on the speed charts at 176.970 in the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Vickers, teammate Kyle Busch and Eldora Speedway winner Austin Dillon completed the top five.

Scott, showing signs of consistency, was also second-fastest (177.651 mph) in the final practice for Saturday’s Indiana 250 (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Regan Smith, who dropped from the points lead last Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, was third-fastest with Trevor Bayne and Nelson Piquet Jr. filling out the top five.

Series points leader Sam Hornish Jr., the 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner, was 14th early and 10th-fastest in final practice.

Nationwide qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 12:05 p.m. ET.

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