Austin Cindric led the NASCAR Cup Series practice session at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, February 11, recording the fastest lap with a speed of 187.402 mph in 48.02 seconds. As the 2022 Daytona 500 Champion, Cindric showed strong form ahead of qualifying, driving the No. 2 Team Penske Ford.
Key Performances During the Daytona 500 Practice
The 50-minute practice session mainly featured single-car runs without drafting, with 43 of the 45 entered vehicles participating. Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet from Spire Motorsports and Todd Gilliland’s No. 34 Ford of Front Row Motorsports stayed in the garage during this time. Alongside Cindric, Ross Chastain, Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suarez comprised the top five fastest drivers. LaJoie, driving under the pressure of needing to qualify, was among those fighting for a spot in the race.
A Closer Look at the Fastest Laps
Cindric completed 13 laps on the 2.5-mile trioval, setting the pace early in the session. Ross Chastain followed closely, clocking a speed of 186.931 mph in the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. Despite the plan to avoid drafting during practice, a few drivers, including Bubba Wallace, found themselves grouped together for brief runs.
Additional Highlights from Practice
Bubba Wallace experienced some drafting during a public relations lap, gaining valuable track time in preparation for qualifying. The rest of the top-ten fastest drivers rounded out the session, maintaining competitive lap times as teams adjusted their setups.
Performance of Open Cars and Upcoming Opportunities
The open cars, those without guaranteed spots, faced a challenging chance to secure their place in The Great American Race. With only two opportunities to make the field, these teams are under pressure to deliver during qualifying rounds. The practice session offered valuable insights into their pace and readiness ahead of race day.
Austin Cindric’s dominance in this session highlights his strong potential to perform well in qualifying, setting an optimistic tone for Team Penske and fans alike. With qualifying and race day approaching, the results at Daytona will be closely watched as teams finalize their strategies for the iconic event.
