Auto Club NASCAR Practice #1 Notes

NOTE: This session was all about drivers getting their cars ready for qualifying which is later today. It appears no driver spent time in race trim.

The Draft – The draft really came into play this session. Look for it to be huge in qualifying. Johnson, Hamlin and Keselowski who were all in a draft together were 3 of the top 4 drivers 30 minutes into practice. Chris Buescher’s quick lap time near the end which put him 3rd was the product of drafting.

Alex Bowman – Following his opening lap in qualifying trim which put him 7th of 16 cars he said, “I got tight in three and four.” During a late run he reported his car was just too loose. Near the very end of practice he said, “I’m loose in some spots and tight in some spots.”

Ty Dillon – Following his first run which put him 19th of 19 cars he said “We’re laying on the splitter in Turns 3 and 4. Turns 1 and 2 felt great though.” Following his second run he said, “I’m still pretty tight through 3 and 4. It may be the splitter, but it may also be the wind pushing me.” The wind was gusting at 50 MPH at times. Following a late run while he was 11th he said, “Let’s do that same adjustment again. It was definitely better, but we still need to be looser.”

Austin Dillon – His opening run put him 2nd on the speed chart. His car was tight in, and a little tight off of turn two.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Did some drafting with Ryan Newman early in practice. He was following Newman in the draft and he was about 2 MPH quicker.