Kenseth Fastest in First Phoenix Practice Session

Kenseth fastest in practice Friday (Getty)

Matt Kenseth was fastest in Friday’s lone practice session at Phoenix International Raceway as 43 drivers prepare to qualify for Sunday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500. Kenseth, with a lap of 137.023 mph, ran 17 laps during the 90-minute session while mostly in qualifying trim.

The top four speeds during the session were all Toyota’s and gave evidence that the top financed teams on the circuit may have more of an edge than some of the others, not only this week, but also possibly for the next few weeks as teams accumulate more data on the new cars with each lap run. 

Kyle Busch, Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin were the other fast Toyota’s following Kenseth. Carl Edwards was fifth-fastest and quickest among the Fords. Jimmie Johnson was fastest among the Chevy's with the sixth best speed followed by Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne.

No driver ran 10 consecutive laps, but Kahne did run the most with 31 total.

Saturday’s two practice sessions with race trim should be very telling, but based on Friday, it looks like the Gibbs and Hendrick stables have the overall edge and jump on the new car.

Phoenix Practice 1 Speeds