Busch paces Cup Series practice at Richmond

Kyle Busch was fastest in Friday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Richmond Raceway at 118.172mph (22.848s).

Busch led the way over John Hunter Nemechek (118.110mph) and Denny Hamlin (117.909mph). Noah Gragson was fourth fastest at 117.899mph, Corey Heim – in a fourth 23XI entry – was fifth at 117.575mph.

Kyle Larson ran sixth at 117.463mph, Ty Dillon seventh at 117.447mph, Justin Haley eighth at 117.437mph and Cole Custer ninth at 117.402mph. Riley Herbst completed the top 10 at 117.305mph.

Austin Dillon, the defending race winner, was 11th fastest. Dillon ran a fast lap of 117.269mph.

William Byron, the championship point leader, was 24th fastest in practice. Byron has an opportunity to clinch the regular-season championship Saturday night.

Brad Keselowski was 25th in practice, Chase Elliott 29th, Alex Bowman 30th and Josh Berry 34th.

There were two incidents during practice.

Joey Logano had a right front tire go down on his Ford. He hit the wall in Turn 4.

Carson Hocevar spun off Turn 4 at the end of practice but had no contact.

In the best 10 consecutive lap average, it was also Kyle Busch leading the way ahead of Larson, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson and John Hunter Nemechek.

There are 38 teams entered at Richmond Raceway.