Ryan Newman topped the leaderboard in Saturday’s second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway at 95.709 mph mph in the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
Newman, a 2012 winner at the Virginia track, aims to put together a solid chapter to close his career at RCR before shifting to Roush Fenway Racing next season.
Right behind him was Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at 94.913 mph.
MORE: Martinsville schedule | Full practice speeds
Rounding out the top five were: Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (94.784 mph), Brad Keselowski, who led opening practice, in the No. 2 Team Penske Ford (94.510 mph) and AJ Allmendinger in the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet (94.242 mph). Busch and Elliott remain in title contention among the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs.
The other drivers still in playoff contention landed on the speed chart as follows: Clint Bowyer (P6, 94.209 mph), Martin Truex Jr. (P9, 94.125 mph), Kevin Harvick (P10, 94.115 mph), Joey Logano (P15, 93.985 mph), Kurt Busch (P17, 93.905 mph) and Aric Almirola (P21, 93.567 mph).
Monster Energy Series Busch Pole Qualifying is later today at 4:05 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App. Tune in Sunday to watch the Round of 8 opener at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App.
Practice 1
Brad Keselowski topped the leaderboard in Saturday’s first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway at 95.714 mph mph in the No. 2 Team Penske Ford.
Keselowski, a 2017 winner at the Virginia track, is looking to wind down his season on a high note after being eliminated from the NASCAR Playoffs last week at Kansas Speedway.
Right behind him was Kurt Busch in the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford at 95.646 mph.
MORE: 10-lap averages | Full Practice 1 speeds
Rounding out the top five were Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (95.593 mph), Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford (95.357 mph) and Aric Almirola in the No. 10 SHR Ford (95.280 mph). Both Busch brothers and Almirola are in the playoffs.
The other drivers still in playoff contention landed on the speed chart as follows: Martin Truex Jr. (P6, 95.256 mph), Clint Bowyer (P7, 95.137 mph), Kevin Harvick (P11, 94.689 mph), Chase Elliott (P16, 94.590 mph) and Joey Logano (P20, 94.515 mph).
With 15 minutes remaining in the session, the caution came out for debris after Almirola had a tire go down on his No. 10.
The Nos. 1 (Jamie McMurray), 51 (Jeb Burton) and 88 (Alex Bowman) were all held 15 minutes at the end of the practice session for failing pre-race inspection twice at Kansas.