Kurt Busch leads Chip Ganassi Racing 1-2 effort in Dover’s fast first practice

Kurt Busch assembled the fastest lap Friday morning in opening Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Dover International Speedway. Busch pushed the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1  to a best speed of 168.445 mph on the 1-mile concrete layout. His fastest lap was the best among 23 drivers who unofficially topped the track qualifying record of 164.444 mph, set by Brad Keselowski in 2014. RELATED: Practice 1 results | Dover schedule "It's fast," Busch said of the effect of higher downforce leading to fastest corner speeds. "It's really fun. The guys nailed the setup. We were a little loose to start, a little tight on our second run, and then that run right there, it's one of those laps where you say, 'go have at it. Knock it off the top.' But we've got to back it up later." Kyle Larson, Busch's teammate with the Ganassi organization, was second-fastest at 168.106 mph ion the No. 42 Chevrolet. Defending race winner Kevin Harvick turned in the third-fastest lap in the 50-minute session in the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 Ford. William Byron was fourth-fastest, and Ryan Blaney completed the top five in the opening tune-up for Monday's Gander RV 400 (noon ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Jimmie Johnson, who leads Dover's all-time win list with 11 victories, was 10th-fastest in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet. Teammate Chase Elliott, last weekend's winner at Talladega and Dover's most recent victor last fall, was ninth-best in the No. 9 Chevrolet. Competition officials penalized four teams by deducting 15 minutes of practice time for inspection issues. • No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet of Kurt Busch (multiple inspection issues at Talladega) • No. 15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet of Ross Chastain (late to inspection) • No. 37 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet of Chris Buescher (late to inspection) • No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford of Cody Ware (late to inspection)