ELKHART LAKE, Wisc. – With the threat of potential rain moving into the area of Road America (Wisc.) later this afternoon, 37 NASCAR XFINITY Series teams participated in the first 55-minute practice session at the 4.053-mile road course in preparation for Sunday afternoon’s Johnsonville 180.
Road course expert Justin Marks led the way in his No. 42 Katerra Chevrolet with Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Brennan Poole not far behind.
Austin Cindric, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie for Brad Keselowski Racing was third quickest. Cindric, the son of Team Penske president Tim Cindric was flanked by JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier and Brendan Gaughan who comprised the top-five.
Marks will make his second start of the season and first since Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier this month where he earned a ninth-place finish after starting 21st.
“It’s pretty solid,” said Marks. “I didn’t expect everyone to drop off so quick, so the name of the game is going to be tire management. We’re just progressing the team plan we started last year with this car and we’re still making improvements.”
Blake Koch, Matt Tifft, Cole Custer, Dylan Lupton and Jeremy Clements comprised the top-10.
Cindric, Tifft and Custer are pulling double duty this weekend at Road America. All three drivers will participate in Sunday afternoon’s Road America 100 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race. Cindric led both practice sessions for the development series Saturday morning.
Lupton in his No. 24 Nut Up Toyota is looking for his second career top-10 XFINITY finish in his second start at Road America. The Wilton, Calif. native finished 13th in 2015 driving for Athenian Motorsports.
Other notables during practice included: James Davison (11th), Daniel Hemric (12th), Parker Kligerman (15th), Elliott Sadler (18th), Brandon Jones (24th), William Byron (25th) and Ray Black Jr. (32nd).
Truck Series’ standout Christopher Bell is making his third XFINITY Series start of the season on Sunday but suffered mechanical issues in practice winding up 30th quickest overall.
Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed to CATCHFENCE.com that the No. 18 team is swapping motors before the start of the second XFINITY Series practice session.
There were only minor incidents on the track during the session.
Ben Kennedy spun twice in separate incidents in Turn 5 but did no significant damage to his No. 2 Chevrolet. There was a brief full course caution early in the session when Ernie Francis Jr. stopped on the track and needed to be towed to the garage.
With rain threatening the second and final XFINITY practice, some teams may not participate in the 55-minute session if the race course becomes soaked to preserve their car for race day.
Of the 42 cars entered, 38 teams took at least one lap around Road America.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
