Haley leads Cup Series practice at Watkins Glen

Justin Haley, looking for his first win of the year with only three races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, led practice Saturday afternoon for Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International.

Haley, driving in the first of two practice groups, turned a lap at 121.364mph to edge Spire Motorsports teammate Michael McDowell for the fastest speed. McDowell was clocked at 121.362mph.

Also in the top five were Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Larson as Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota all placed drivers in the front group.

The most surprising result perhaps was Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time winner on road and street courses this season, wasn’t fastest. In fact, he wasn’t in the top five.

Van Gisbergen, who this week agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Trackhouse Racing, was sixth on the practice list at 121.102mph.

Connor Zilisch was seventh fastest.

Relatively slow on the practice list were Denny Hamlin (32nd), Bubba Wallace (34th) and Brad Keselowski (35th).

After Sunday’s race, events at Richmond and Daytona Beach will close out the regular season.