Truex leads final Loudon practice; Logano parked

Martin Truex Jr. was fastest in final Monster Energy Series practice at New Hampshire with a lap of 131.647 mph.

Truex was followed by two of his fellow playoff drivers in Kevin Harvick at 131.633 mph and Sunday's pole-sitter Kyle Busch at 131.515 mph. Rookie Daniel Suarez broke up the party by being fourth fastest at 131.506 mph. Fifth fastest was Kyle Larson, who paced the Saturday morning session and was also fastest in the Friday session. Larson's fastest lap was 131.497 mph.

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Completing the top 10 were Ryan Blaney (131.302 mph), Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson (131.121 mph) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (131.112 mph), Denny Hamlin (131.026 mph), and Clint Bowyer (131.008 mph).

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The highlight of the 50-minute session, however, was drivers who had to serve penalties, which included Truex. The No. 78 Toyota went to the top of the leaderboard after serving a 30-minute penalty for failing pre-race inspection three times last weekend at Chicagoland.

Also serving a 30-minute minute for the same issue was Jamie McMurray. McMurray ended the session 16th fastest.

But Truex and McMurray were just two of six playoff drivers who served practice holds before getting being able to get on track. The smaller 15-minute penalty was served by Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, Ryan Newman and Johnson for failing pre-qualifying inspection at New Hampshire twice.

The most severe penalty was for a non-playoff driver. Team Penske and driver Joey Logano did not get to participate in final practice as they were assessed a 50-minute penalty for failing pre-qualifying inspection four times Friday evening. That raised eyebrows around the garage, including from Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

"This the 1st time a team was held from final practice entirely?" he asked on Twitter. "Can’t recall that ever happening."

When a response came back that it appeared to be the first instance of a driver being forced to miss the whole session, Earnhardt replied: "No f***ing way. That’s silly to make him sit out there."

Cell phones aren't allowed in the cars, but Logano's wife Brittany was able to say hello.

While there were no major issues in the session, Ty Dillon will go to a backup car after hitting the wall. Dillon said his No. 13 hit the infamous New Hampshire bumps and he made contact with the right front of his Chevrolet. It is the first time this season the Germain Racing rookie has had to use a backup car.

NEXT UP: The ISM Connect 300 at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.