Cindric paces Watkins Glen Cup practice

Austin Cindric was fastest in a modified NASCAR Cup Series practice Saturday at Watkins Glen.

Cindric paced the session with a lap of 122.147 mph (1m12.208s). Because of the wet weather, NASCAR made it one session for all drivers at 50 minutes.

Carson Hocevar was second fastest at 122.073 mph and Ty Gibbs was third fastest at 122.032 mph. Christopher Bell was fourth at 122.031 mph and Chris Buescher completed the top five at 121.971 mph.

Kyle Busch was sixth fastest at 121.894 mph, AJ Allmendinger was seventh fastest at 121.803 mph, and William Byron was eighth fastest at 121.716 mph. Tyler Reddick, the Cup Series championship points leader, was ninth at 121.653 mph, and Erik Jones rounded out the top 10 at 121.623 mph.

Shane van Gisbergen and Trackhouse Racing are the defending winners of the event. Van Gisbergen was 11th fastest on the practice chart. Connor Zilisch was 21st fastest in practice.

Chase Briscoe was one of two drivers who had a tire issue during practice. Briscoe felt something was wrong with his car as he was going through the Esses, and then came to a stop at the bus stop. Upon starting to drive away, Briscoe began to shake the car, and then the left front tire went down. Briscoe made it back to pit road without further issue.

Ross Chastain brought out a caution for stopping on the track out of the bus stop. Chastain, who had run only two laps, had a left rear tire issue and had to be assisted back to pit road via the tow truck.

There are 38 teams entered at Watkins Glen. In addition to the charter teams, Katherine Legge is making her first Cup Series start of the season with Live Fast Motorsports, and Josh Bilicki is in the Garage 66 entry.