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Rookie Erik Jones led the way in a rain-delayed opening practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Friday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Jones, a Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate, powered the Furniture Row No. 77 Toyota to a best lap of 127.843 mph on the .533-mile track.
Kyle Busch, a five-time Bristol winner, was second-fastest in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota, logging a top lap of 127.090 mph. Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr. and Matt Kenseth completed the top five in the 55-minute session, the first tune-up ahead of Monday’s Food City 500 (1 p.m. ET Monday, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Jones will start 14th in Monday’s 500-lapper after persistent early rain forced the cancellation of Coors Light Pole Qualifying in favor of practice time. Rain also postponed the race from Sunday to Monday. Series points leader Kyle Larson — seventh best in first practice — will start first Monday after the weather caused race officials to set the field according to the 2017 NASCAR Rule Book. | See the lineup
The inclement conditions forced a shake-up to the day’s schedule, scrubbing a planned 85-minute practice that was slated to begin Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Chase Elliott brought out the only caution period in the session, losing control of his Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet off Turn 4 in a long slide on the track’s front straightaway. He managed to avoid contact, keeping his primary car intact, and was 11th on the practice speed chart (126.370 mph).
Kasey Kahne (13th, 126.121 mph), a teammate to Elliott at Hendrick Motorsports, slightly scraped the right side of his No. 5 Chevrolet late in the session. Joey Logano (ninth, 126.445 mph) also brushed the outside retaining wall with his Team Penske No. 22 Ford.
With uncertain weather forecasts placing a premium on practice time, NASCAR officials opted to defer any time penalties for infractions at the previous race (April 9, Texas). Those practice holds are set to be enforced next weekend at Richmond International Raceway.