Dale Earnhardt Jr. kicked off the first NASCAR practice session of the year the way he and his passionate fan base hoped: On top of the speed charts.
Budweiser Shootout 2011: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Leads First Practice Session
Earnhardt Jr. posted the fastest time in a brief 45-minute practice for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout, recording a fast lap of 199.862 mph.
That barely edged Mark Martin’s 199.853 mph, which was followed by Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch.
Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle and Joey Logano completed the top 10.
Throughout the practice, cars hooked up in a two-car draft – as is expected to be common throughout the Budweiser Shootout and the Daytona 500.
Drivers practiced swapping spots in order not to overheat the “pusher’s” car, since that will be a much-needed strategy throughout Speedweeks.
Derrike Cope was a pathetically slow 172.970 – seven seconds slower than the leaders.
The final Bud Shootout practice is tonight at 6:30 Eastern, followed by the Budweiser Shootout draw party at 8 p.m.
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