William Byron Tops NASCAR Cup Practice at COTA with Fastest Overall Time

Byron, who clinched pole position for this race a year ago, showcased his prowess as one of the final contenders to complete laps during the 1½-hour practice session. Despite the clock ticking down, Byron managed to clock the fastest average lap speed of the day at an impressive 94.415 mph.

With the inaugural road course race of the season featuring NASCAR’s new aero package, teams were divided into two groups. Each group was granted a pair of 20-minute sessions on the track to fine-tune their strategies.

Byron’s standout performance emerged from Group B, surpassing Ty Gibbs’ leading lap of 94.681 mph set in the second session of Group A.

In the second 20-minute session of Group B, Byron’s late flyer lap at 94.703 mph effortlessly claimed the top spot on the speed chart. His teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman, followed closely in second place (94.415 mph), with Christopher Bell securing third (94.226 mph). Ross Chastain and Kamui Kobayashi completed the top five.

While Group B saw Chastain briefly spinning out and a few drivers having their lap times invalidated for cutting the course, including Michael McDowell, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry, the action remained intense.

In Group A, Gibbs set a scorching pace across both sessions, improving his time in the second 40-minute practice to lead with an average lap speed of 94.681 mph. Bubba Wallace trailed in second place (94.260 mph), with Kyle Busch securing third. Shane van Gisbergen and Corey LaJoie rounded out the top five in this group.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, Wallace expressed pride in 23XI Racing’s efforts. However, he noted the variance in tire strategies among competitors, emphasizing the importance of preparation for the race ahead.

The sessions weren’t without incidents; Tyler Reddick’s spin-off at Turn 7 in the first Group A session led to a brief halt in the action. Additionally, several drivers in Group A, including LaJoie, Denny Hamlin, A.J. Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Briscoe, had their lap times invalidated for cutting corners.

The competitive spirit was evident throughout the practice sessions, setting the stage for an exhilarating race day. Byron’s late surge, coupled with Gibbs’ impressive consistency, hints at a thrilling battle ahead on the track.