Allmendinger paces Sonoma practice over Gibbs, SVG

AJ Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing topped the charts in a busy practice session for the Cup Series at Sonoma Raceway.

Heading into one of his best opportunities to win his way into the playoffs, Allmendinger laid down the only sub-76s time of the session, putting together a 1m15.95s at 94.325mph on the fifth of his 15 laps to lead the way.

Ty Gibbs followed with a 94.024mph lap, the only other lap above 94mph on the session. Chicago winner Shane van Gisbergen (93.965mph) was third, with Ross Chastain (93.782mph) and Kyle Larson (93.711mph) capping off the top-five.

Christopher Bell (93.710mph), Ryan Blaney (93.680mph), Daniel Suarez (93.629mph), Tyler Reddick (93.581mph) and John Hunter Nemechek (93.547mph) completed the top 10.

Suarez was quickest in the opening group, showing promise in a weekend where he hopes to repeat his 2022 Sonoma triumph. He was followed William Byron, Noah Gragson, Austin Cindric and Michael McDowell.

More NASCAR

Busch didn't just make his competitors better, he made everyone around him better

Bell, Hamlin battle bought Suarez space and time

Suarez wins emotional, rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600

Allmendinger had the best 5-lap average in the session, with van Gisbergen fastest over 10 laps. Byron had the best five-and-10-lap averages in the opening group.

There were no accidents with any repercussions, but the opening group session proved eventful for Spire Motorsports. Michael McDowell went for a spin off-track in Turn 2 early in the opening group session but avoided any damage. His teammate, Justin Haley, did the same later, causing a brief caution after he kicked up dirt. Carson Hocevar avoided trouble in turn 2 but went for a spin as he exited the final corner in the final minutes of the session.

Brad Keselowski suffered the same fate as McDowell and Haley at corner exit in the first group but spun on the racing surface and continued without issue.

The second group was comparatively fortunate. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs each briefly went off-course, but no one spun and the session was completed without a caution flag.

All 37 cars on location made it on track for practice. Katherine Legge ran the fewest laps of the session (8) and was slowest among all competitors. Chastain and and Reddick completed a session-high 18 laps.