Talladega Superspeedway final practice results for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Next up, it’s NASCAR final practice at the Talladega Superspeedway. They’re rolling fast around the 2.66-mile oval due to the new rules package.
2019 Talladega Menu: MENCS
TV | Prac 1 | Prac 2 | Qual | Averages | Race
After the Daytona 500, several teams stuck around to run a test session for the 2019 rules package. The results of that test showed bad-fast speeds. NASCAR reacted by adding an inch to the 2019 superspeedway rules package to help slow the cars down.
In the opening round of practice, the speeds were still really fast. Kurt Busch was quickest in the opening round with 202.671mph.
The runs are bigger when drivers are in the draft. At the same time, when they pull out of line, the wall of air they hit slows them down quicker. Overall, everything is just happening quicker with more drag and downforce on the cars while simultaneously running quicker.
Updates ahead of final practice: There was lot of discussion in the garage about slowing the cars down again, this weekend. NASCAR has added a 1 inch wicker to the rear spoiler.
Talladega Final Practice
Report
Duration: 50 minutes
10 minutes into the final round of practice, a large group has formed on the track. They run three wide.
Ryan Newman tops the board early. His average speed, 204.16 which is really quick compared to years past.
Denny Hamlin ran one very short run in the opening round of practice. He pulled it and the crew went to work. An experimental setup was not suitable to the driver. In this session, a new setup is on the car and Hamlin sits inside the top 10 with a lot of laps turned.
NASCAR added a wicker to the rear spoiler to slow the cars down ahead of this session. Instead, they’ve gone faster.
At the halfway mark, Ryan Newman sits at the top with an average speed of 204.157mph. That’s 2mph faster than the opening round of practice.
Halfway in final practice: 1. Ryan Newman (46.905); 2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr (46.912); 3. Martin Truex Jr (46.915); 4. Matt Tifft (46.920); 5. Kyle Busch (46.923); 6. Erik Jones (46.927); 7. Aric Almirola (47.263); 8. Paul Menard (47.329); 9. Matt DiBenedetto (47.349); 10. Denny Hamlin (47.418);
Tyler Reddick is on track in the #62. He’ll also qualifying the race car. Brendan Gaughan has left the track for his son’s first communion.
Drivers are making very long runs. Jimmie Johnson alone ran 37 total laps in the duration of this short 50 minute session.
“I’m kinda surprised. I’d thought they’d handle better than they do,” Joey Logano told Fox Sports after the final practice session. He also noted the “Wicked Wicker” when speaking of the rear spoiler addition.
Ryan Newman wins NASCAR final practice at Talladega Superspeedway!
View full Talladega final practice times below.
Talladega Final Practice
NASCAR Cup Series
April 26, 2019
Time: 3:35pm ET
Pos | Driver | Time
1. Ryan Newman
46.905 (204.157mph)
2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
46.912
3. Martin Truex Jr
46.915
4. Matt Tifft
46.920
5. Kyle Busch
46.923
6. Erik Jones
46.927
7. Aric Almirola
47.263
8. Paul Menard
47.329
9. Matt DiBenedetto
47.349
10. Denny Hamlin
47.418
11. Alex Bowman
47.459
12. William Byron
47.461
13. Chase Elliott
47.463
14. Daniel Hemric
47.464
15. Kurt Busch
47.468
16. Kyle Larson
47.469
17. Jimmie Johnson
47.475
18. Austin Dillon
47.487
19. Ty Dillon
47.503
20. Daniel Suarez
47.675
21. Kevin Harvick
47.725
22. Bubba Wallace
47.746
23. Brendan Gaughan / Tyler Reddick
47.763
24. Clint Bowyer
47.777
25. Joey Logano
48.014
26. Ryan Preece
48.417
27. Chris Buescher
48.438
28. Ross Chastain
48.536
29. Landon Cassill
48.469
30. Michael McDowell
48.579
31. Jeffrey Earnhardt
48.811
32. Ryan Blaney
48.984
33. Brad Keselowski
49.033
34. Parker Kligerman
49.149
35. Stanton Barrett
49.385
36. David Ragan
50.335
37. Justin Haley
50.559
38. Reed Sorenson
50.580
39. Cody Ware
52.736
