Elliott, Newman clash in Clash practice

The first practice session of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season produced the first crash of the season on Saturday.

A pack of 13 cars drafting in Advance Auto Parts Clash practice had a four-car wreck when Ryan Newman and Chase Elliott tangled. Elliott had lost the draft at the front of the pack and was going backward when Newman tagged him from behind. Also involved in the wreck were Kevin Harvick, who suffered damage when he went through the grass, as well as Denny Hamlin, who hit the outside wall.

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Elliott and Hamlin will be in backup cars for the race.

Joey Logano paced the session at 196.786 mph. Jimmie Johnson was second fastest at 196.674 mph, and Austin Dillon was third quick at 196.622 mph. Completing the top five were Elliott at 196.580 mph and Harvick at 196.511 mph.

Rounding out the top 10 were Daniel Suarez (196.468 mph), Clint Bowyer (196.066 mph), Hamlin (195.194 mph), Newman (195.044 mph) and Alex Bowman (194.898 mph).

From the start of the session, drivers were drafting. Johnson, Logano and Brad Keselowski were among them, taking turns running at the front of a big pack. Also in the pack were Bowyer, Kyle Larson, Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Paul Menard, Daniel Suarez, and Austin Dillon.

Smaller packs of four or five cars also formed during the session.

Keselowski is the defending winner of The Clash. Starting positions for the race will be determined by a draw Saturday night.

UP NEXT: Advance Auto Parts Clash at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.