Hamlin starts Martinsville strong by pacing practice

Denny Hamlin was fastest overall in NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway with a lap of 93.929mph (20.160s). Hamlin, a five-time Martinsville winner, led the way over Corey LaJoie whose best lap was 93.747mph. William Byron was third …

Denny Hamlin was fastest overall in NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway with a lap of 93.929mph (20.160s).

Hamlin, a five-time Martinsville winner, led the way over Corey LaJoie whose best lap was 93.747mph.

William Byron was third fastest at 93.696mph, Ty Gibbs fourth at 93.617mph, Austin Cindric fifth at 93.599mph, Daniel Suarez sixth at 93.396mph and Bubba Wallace seventh at 93.308mph.

Tyler Reddick was eighth at 93.249mph and Kevin Harvick ninth at 93.221mph. Kyle Busch completed the top 10 at 93.203mph.

Martin Truex Jr. was 13th fastest (92.974mph), Ryan Blaney 14th (92.874mph), and Chris Buescher 16th (92.728mph). Truex and Buescher are below the playoff grid cutline going into Sunday’s race and Blaney holds the final transfer spot.

Christopher Bell was 21st fastest (92.470mph) and Kyle Larson was 22nd (92.231mph).

There were no incidents in practice.

Corey LaJoie led the way in the best 10 consecutive lap average over William Byron, Austin Cindric, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Busch.

There are 36 drivers entered in the Xfinity 500.