Kyle Larson throws down fastest lap in first Las Vegas practice session

Larson fastest in first LVMS practice 

Kyle Larson laid down the fastest lap during Friday's first Kobalt 400 practice session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 191.646 mph, which was just three-tenths off what Carl Edwards did as the leader in the same session last year. So much for the slowing the cars down in 2015. It's the second straight week where speeds were similar.

Jeff Gordon, the 2001 LVMS winner, with a lap speed of 191.225 mph was second quickest in the session, and was followed by last years winner Brad Keselowski (191.035), David Ragan (190.975) and Jamie McMurray (190.833). Gordon will be the only driver to have started all 18 LVMS races when the green flag drops Sunday. It will also be his final Cup start in Las Vegas.

Rounding out the top-10 quickest drivers in the practice were Joey Logano (190.826), Carl Edwards (190.725), Ryan Newman (190.597), last week’s winner Jimmie Johnson (190.557) and Kevin Harvick (190.550). Edwards has won twice at Las Vegas and is tied with Johnson for a track-best 9.2 average finish. Johnson holds the track record with four wins.

The teams will return to the track later this evening at 7:45 pm (ET) for qualifying to determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s race. Larson was posted at 25/1 odds to win the pole at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

On Saturday, the qualified teams will have two more practice sessions beginning with a session from 11:30 am – 12:25 pm (ET) and then final practice from 2:30 pm – 3:25 pm.

Practice 1 Speeds