Following the intense Daytona Duel races, NASCAR Cup Series drivers returned to Daytona International Speedway for the second practice session on Friday. Many competitors, including William Byron, have switched to backup cars after incidents during the previous day’s events. This session is critical for teams refining their setups ahead of the Daytona 500, with drivers pushing their vehicles to the limit to improve performance.
The Daytona 500 practice results from this session highlight Austin Dillon as the fastest driver, completing a lap in 46.006 seconds with an average speed of 195.626 mph, topping the field in this highly competitive environment.
Backup Cars Enter the Spotlight After Recent Crashes
William Byron’s backup car was shipped from Charlotte, North Carolina early Friday morning to replace his damaged primary vehicle. Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and Chris Buescher also announced they are competing with backup cars following setbacks during the Duel races. This switch underscores the challenges drivers face as they balance speed with durability ahead of the marquee race.
Standout Performances in the Practice Session
Austin Dillon secured the fastest time among the 37 drivers who took part in the session, narrowly edging out Alex Bowman, who recorded a lap of 46.047 seconds. Justin Allgaier followed closely with a best lap of 46.137 seconds, while Chase Elliott and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top five with times of 46.149 and 46.160 seconds, respectively.
The top ten was completed by Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, and Connor Zilisch. Notably, several drivers adjusting to backup equipment, such as Byron, Chastain, and Suarez, maintained competitive lap times despite vehicle changes.
Complete Practice Ranking List
1. Austin Dillon – 46.006 seconds
2. Alex Bowman – 46.047 seconds
3. Justin Allgaier – 46.137 seconds
4. Chase Elliott – 46.149 seconds
5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 46.160 seconds
6. Shane van Gisbergen – 46.239 seconds
7. William Byron – 46.242 seconds
8. Ross Chastain – 46.249 seconds
9. Kyle Larson – 46.250 seconds
10. Connor Zilisch – 46.257 seconds
11. Josh Berry – 46.307 seconds
12. Ty Dillon – 46.336 seconds
13. Zane Smith – 46.343 seconds
14. Todd Gilliland – 46.355 seconds
15. Brad Keselowski – 46.357 seconds
16. Ryan Blaney – 46.360 seconds
17. Joey Logano – 46.375 seconds
18. Daniel Suarez – 46.389 seconds
19. Cole Custer – 46.418 seconds
20. Austin Cindric – 46.453 seconds
21. Christopher Bell – 46.495 seconds
22. John Hunter Nemechek – 46.523 seconds
23. Kyle Busch – 46.540 seconds
24. Chris Buescher – 46.640 seconds
25. Noah Gragson – 46.645 seconds
26. Corey Heim – 46.910 seconds
27. Chase Briscoe – 46.931 seconds
28. Denny Hamlin – 46.943 seconds
29. Riley Herbst – 47.010 seconds
30. Ty Gibbs – 47.013 seconds
31. Tyler Reddick – 47.021 seconds
32. Bubba Wallace – 47.070 seconds
33. Michael McDowell – 47.656 seconds
34. Carson Hocevar – 48.088 seconds
35. Jimmie Johnson – 48.950 seconds
36. Erik Jones – 49.317 seconds
37. BJ McLeod – 49.566 seconds
Implications of Practice Times and Next Steps
These Daytona 500 practice results reflect an intense, high-pressure environment as teams seek the right balance of speed and control. With several drivers competing in backup cars, performance consistency will be monitored closely in the upcoming qualifying sessions and the race itself. Austin Dillon’s leading lap time positions him as a strong contender, but competitors like Alex Bowman, Justin Allgaier, and William Byron remain poised to challenge for top spots.
As the event approaches, teams will analyze these practice results thoroughly to plan race strategies under serious conditions. The fast lap times coupled with the number of backup cars indicate a demanding week at Daytona International Speedway, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Daytona 500.
