Austin Dillon topped the timesheets in Friday’s Cup Series practice, driving his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to the fastest lap among competitors at the World Center of Racing as teams prepare for Sunday’s Daytona 500. The Austin Dillon Daytona 500 practice session highlighted Chevrolet’s dominance, with Chevys securing every one of the top ten spots during the 50-minute run.
Chevrolet Drivers Sweep the Leaderboard
During the practice, Austin Dillon’s car clocked the fastest speed at 195.627 mph while drafting with other Chevrolets on the 2.5-mile track. Following close behind, Alex Bowman recorded the next best time with a lap at 195.452 mph, while Justin Allgaier achieved a swift 195.071 mph. The remaining slots in the top five were taken by Chase Elliott and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., reaching 195.020 mph and 194.974 mph, respectively. Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, and Connor Zilisch completed a Chevy lockout of the ten quickest laps, all of whom posted speeds above 194.5 mph.
Other Manufacturers Make Their Presence Known
While Chevrolet clearly held the advantage, Ford’s Josh Berry was the fastest non-Chevy, placing 11th at 194.355 mph. Other Ford drivers, including Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, and Brad Keselowski, joined him within the top 15, representing their manufacturer with competitive single-lap performances. Toyota’s top entry came from Christopher Bell, who registered the 21st fastest lap, clocking in at 193.569 mph.
Next Steps for Teams Ahead of the Race
The Cup Series field will gain another opportunity to refine setups with a final practice session scheduled for Saturday afternoon. With the Daytona 500—known as the Great American Race—on the horizon, drivers and teams will use this last session to make crucial adjustments in preparation for one of NASCAR’s most anticipated events.
The ongoing performance in practice, especially from Chevrolet, sets the tone for an exciting and fiercely contested Daytona 500 as race day approaches.
