Same old story
After claiming the pole in this event last year, then winning the race, Clint Bowyer may have just installed himself as the man to beat once again in the Sylvania 300.
The No. 07 Chevrolet was the fastest car in the Sprint Cup's first practice of the weekend, turning a fast lap of 130.273 miles per hour, a speed that wouldn't been quick enough to sit on the pole here in June. Jimmie Johnson was second best, followed by Kyle Busch.
The next six cars were all non-Chase drivers, but after that the contenders were bunched. Greg Biffle was 10th and Denny Hamlin was 11th, then it was Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick in spots 13-15, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Jeff Gordon at 17 and 18. Carl Edwards was 33rd fastest, while Matt Kenseth was 39th.
Joey Logano, the rookie who needs to qualify the No. 96 car on points, was 38th, but ahead of three other cars who need to earn their place on time. They'll get that chance starting at 3:10 ... provided the rains stay away long enough. The latest forecast suggests we could get wet some time around 4 p.m.
