Keselowski Leads the Way with Fastest Lap in First Bristol Practice

Keselelowski won this race last season 

Brad Keselowski laid down the fastest lap in the final seconds of Friday’s 90-minute practice session at Bristol Motor Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s Food City 500. Keselowski had been sitting with the third fastest lap after Matt Kenseth went to the top of the charts -- and only 2 minutes remaining in the session, but then came Keselowski’s 129.047 mph fast lap.

12 drivers ran 10 consecutive laps or more led by five-time Bristol winner Kurt Busch, showing that several drivers were doing more than mere mock-qualifying runs before Friday’s qualifying. Keselowski was second fastest in that category and looks to be on target early to win his third Bristol race in four races.

Five-time Bristol winner Kyle Busch ran the third fastest lap, but ran only 26 laps, the lowest amount among the real competitors. Busch hit the splitter coming off of turn 2 and slid into David Gilliland, but nether car was damaged. Kesleowski led the way with 63 laps during the session.

Brian Vickers will be making his first run in the MWR No. 55 Toyota this week and should be pretty fired up. In addition to going to Bristol where he finished within the top-5 of both races last season, he also gets to drive that same chassis. Vickers finished with the ninth fastest lap. 

Two more practice sessions are scheduled for Saturday.        

Food City 500 Practice 1 Speeds