McDowell paces practice at COTA

Michael McDowell led the way in NASCAR Cup Series practice Saturday at Circuit of the Americas.

McDowell topped the board at 87.253 mph (99.023 seconds). The fast lap was laid down on his first lap on track in his Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.

Ryan Blaney, who was noted by Chase Elliott’s team during the session as being “stupid fast” for what his car was doing around the course, was second fastest. Blaney’s lap was 87.192 mph.

Connor Zilisch was the third fastest at 87.050 mph, with Kyle Larson was fourth fastest at 86.968 mph. Todd Gilliland completed the top five at 86.897 mph. Kyle Busch was sixth fastest at 86.844 mph.

The rest of the top 10 in practice were Alex Bowman at seventh fastest (86.824 mph), Daniel Suarez eighth fastest (86.785 mph), Cole Custer ninth fastest (86.759 mph), and Carson Hocevar at 10th fastest (86.706 mph).

None of the drivers in the top 10 have won at COTA previously.

Shane van Gisbergen was 20th fastest in practice. His lap was 86.558 mph.

Christopher Bell, the defending race winner, was 27th fastest in practice. Bell’s lap was 86.349 mph.

There were no significant incidents in practice.

Blaney was the fastest driver in the best 10 consecutive lap average. He led over Ross Chastain, van Gisbergen, Elliott, and McDowell.

There are 37 teams entered in the race. In addition to the 36 charter teams, Richard Childress Racing has entered the No. 33 with Jesse Love.