COTA Echopark Texas Grand Prix NASCAR Practice Notes

Group A Driver Practice Notes

Shane van Gisbergen – SVG was fast and during his 2nd lap, he jumped up to #1 for Group A. SVG reported he had some sort of brake bias issue about halfway thru his first run. The #88 had good speed over an extended run. SVG had the best 5 and 10 lap averages during Group A’s first session. During his second 20-minute session, he likely used old tires for much of it and then did a mock qualifying run at the end and jumped up to #1. During an interview, SVG said his car was good.

Connor Zilisch – Connor Zilisch had good speed and was fast right at the start of practice. 8 minutes into his first run, he ranked 3rd for speed. In Group A over the first 20-minutes, Zilisch had 2nd best 5 and 10 lap averages. Zilisch also had good speed over the second 20-minutes of practice. Zilisch seemed pretty pleased with his car following practice.

Alex Bowman – The #48 was strong and Bowman had good speed. Over his first 20-minute session, he ranked 5th for 5-lap average speed. During his 2nd 20-minute run, Bowman had the best 5 and 10-lap averages.

AJ Allmendinger – The #16 was fast. While he was 4th during his first run about 10 minutes into practice he said, “Feel like I’m struggling really bad. Big lock up there.” Allmendinger wasn’t very happy with his car late in his first run, but he was 4th at the time. Allmendinger was also fast during his 2nd run. During an interview, Allmendinger said today has been a struggle and they fall off in terms of tire wear.

William Byron – The #24 wasn’t where Byron wanted it to be following his first run. Late in Group A’s first session he said, “Sliding the rear tires so hard.” Late in Group A’s second 20-minute session, Byron jumped up to #1 overall temporarily in what was likely a qualifying run. During an interview, Byron said he struggled early but they made a ton of progress, and probably still have a little more to go. He felt like his car got a lot better in practice.