There were questions heading into Phoenix as to whether Denny Hamlin would practice at all before he attempts to race on a surgically repaired knee on Saturday night.
So Much For The Bum Knee: Denny Hamlin Fastest In First Cup Practice
But Hamlin got in and out of his car with apparent ease throughout the first practice on Friday afternoon, and made it look easy on the track, too: Hamlin’s lap of 131.210 mph was the fastest of any driver.
The Joe Gibbs Driver was ahead of Michael McDowell (130.274), who is in a start-and-park car despite being a Phoenix-area native.
Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five in practice.
Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Tony Stewart – who spun by himself but didn’t hit anything – completed the top 10.
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