Blaney leads Cup Series practice at Phoenix

Ryan Blaney was the fastest driver in NASCAR Cup Series practice Saturday at Phoenix Raceway.

Blaney (C), the defending winner of the fall event at Phoenix and the spring winner, clocked 133.487 mph (26.969s). Blaney set his fastest lap on the 33rd lap and ran a total of 77 laps in practice.

“I felt like we had good speed in practice, and I feel like definitely working on balance,” said Blaney. “Everybody is like that, though. So at least our car has good speed, and I’m proud of that. We’ll see what we have in qualifying. It’s going to be fast; it’s really overcast, and pretty cool out right now. So, hopefully we hit a good lap and set yourself up pretty well for tomorrow.”

Carson Hocevar (C) was the second-fastest at 133.343 mph, with Joey Logano (C) the third-fastest at 133.259 mph, Denny Hamlin (C) in fourth at 132.910 mph, and Christopher Bell (C) in fifth at 132.841 mph. Daniel Suarez (C)was sixth-fastest at 132.773 mph, and Ty Gibbs (C) was seventh-fastest at 132.753 mph.

Chase Briscoe (C) was eighth-fastest at 132.484 mph, Bubba Wallace (C) was ninth-fastest at 132.421 mph, and Josh Berry completed the top 10 at 132.406 mph.

The rest of the Chase drivers in practice were Kyle Larson, the championship point leader, 13th; William Byron, 15th; Austin Cindric, 17th; Chase Elliott, 26th; Chris Buescher, 32nd; and Ryan Preece, 35th.

No significant incidents occurred in the 50-minute session. However, Erik Jones did suffer a flat right-front tire and had to limp his machine back to pit road.

Christopher Bell was fastest in the best 10-lap average. It was Bell over Carson Hocevar, Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, and Joey Logano.

There are 37 teams entered at Phoenix for the Freeway Insurance 500. The only Open entry is Corey Heim, who is in a fourth car for 23XI Racing.

C denotes a Chase driver.

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