Three of the four championship contenders were at the top of the leaderboard after the first practice of Ford Championship Weekend, season finale for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Kyle Busch and Toyota teammate Martin Truex Jr. led the way at Homestead-Miami Speedway ahead of Kevin Harvick. The fastest lap for Busch was 172.695 mph. Truex ran 172.529 mph and Harvick was third fastest at 171.865 mph.

Brad Keselowski was the slowest of the Championship 4 drivers. The No. 2 Ford was 21st on the practice chart at 168.919. mph. There were no incidents in the 1 hour, 25-minute session.

Completing the top five were Kyle Larson at 171.217 mph and Denny Hamlin at 170.854 mph. Rounding out the top 10 were Trevor Bayne (170.417 mph), Jimmie Johnson (170.181 mph), Michael McDowell (170.089 mph), Kurt Busch (169.940 mph) and Daniel Suarez (168.838 mph).

Dale Earnhardt Jr. completed the session at 14th on the speed chart. However, the No. 88 Chevrolet had laid down a top-five lap time before burning a piston and needing to retire to the garage for an engine change. Sunday will be Earnhardt’s final race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

UP NEXT: Qualifying at 6:15 p.m. ET.