Bubba Wallace Fastest in Texas Cup Qualifying

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FORT WORTH, TX - Bubba Wallace was fastest in qualifying for  Sunday’s running of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.  The first race of the Round of 12 begins on Sunday with events at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway to follow after which four drivers will see their playoff hopes end. Chris Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Racing Ford will share the front row Sunday after locking up the second-fastest speed (188.081 mph) in qualifying. Buescher’s teammate and car owner Brad Keselowski was third, with Ty Gibbs and Ross Chastain finishing out the top five. The qualifying results snapped a three-race pole streak for Christopher Bell, who is set to start ninth after his qualifying effort in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

Two drivers found trouble in the 1.5-mile track’s second turn on their up-to-speed lap before their qualifying attempt. Aric Almirola scrubbed the outside retaining wall but continued onward in his No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. slid out of the low groove and looped his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet but managed to avoid contact.

“When it's time to step up to the plate and deliver, this is what these guys do,” Wallace said about his No. 23 team on Saturday.

Michael McDowell pushed the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford to a best lap of 185.771 mph, leading the opening 20-minute group session. His clocking was just one-thousandth faster than the second-fastest lap posted by Joey Logano in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

Kyle Busch was fastest among the 12 remaining playoff-eligible drivers, ranking third at 185.593 mph in the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Aric Almirola was fourth-fastest, with Kyle Larson — who topped the consecutive 10-lap average chart — completing the top five.

Christopher Bell made a prolonged slide through Turn 2 in the first group of practice but managed to avoid contact with his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He returned to pit road and finished the session with the 23rd fastest speed overall.

Practice: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Texas Motor Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/Delo Ford, 29.068 sec, 185.771 mph, 2, 19, ---.---, ---.---
2) Joey Logano, No. 22 AAA Insurance Ford, 29.069, 185.765, 2, 17, -0.001 sec, -0.001 sec
3) Kyle Busch (P), No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 29.096, 185.593, 2, 24, -0.028, -0.027
4) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 29.141, 185.306, 4, 21, -0.073, -0.045
5) Kyle Larson (P), No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 29.143, 185.293, 4, 25, -0.075, -0.002
6) Erik Jones, No. 43 vseverybody.com Chevrolet, 29.152, 185.236, 4, 24, -0.084, -0.009
7) William Byron (P), No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 29.157, 185.204, 2, 20, -0.089, -0.005
8) Denny Hamlin (P), No. 11 FedEx Toyota, 29.167, 185.141, 2, 25, -0.099, -0.010
9) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet, 29.176, 185.084, 3, 21, -0.108, -0.009
10) Ross Chastain (P), No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 29.178, 185.071, 2, 27, -0.110, -0.002
11) Chris Buescher (P), No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 29.188, 185.008, 2, 24, -0.120, -0.010
12) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 29.197, 184.951, 2, 13, -0.129, -0.009
13) Ryan Blaney (P), No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, 29.207, 184.887, 4, 17, -0.139, -0.010
14) Bubba Wallace (P), No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 29.278, 184.439, 2, 22, -0.210, -0.071
15) Brad Keselowski (P), No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 29.293, 184.344, 3, 15, -0.225, -0.015
16) Ricky Stenhouse  Jr., No. 47 Kroger/NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 29.293, 184.344, 3, 22, -0.225, -0.000
17) Martin Truex  Jr. (P), No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 29.295, 184.332, 4, 20, -0.227, -0.002
18) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet, 29.298, 184.313, 3, 24, -0.230, -0.003
19) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 29.301, 184.294, 2, 22, -0.233, -0.003
20) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 29.305, 184.269, 4, 22, -0.237, -0.004
21) Tyler Reddick (P), No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota, 29.315, 184.206, 3, 26, -0.247, -0.010
22) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 29.321, 184.168, 1, 27, -0.253, -0.006
23) Christopher Bell (P), No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 29.327, 184.131, 3, 14, -0.259, -0.006
24) Ryan Preece, No. 41 Autodesk Ford, 29.331, 184.106, 2, 23, -0.263, -0.004
25) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Kubota Chevrolet, 29.332, 184.099, 2, 19, -0.264, -0.001
26) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, 29.343, 184.030, 6, 22, -0.275, -0.011
27) Chase Elliott (P), No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, 29.351, 183.980, 2, 26, -0.283, -0.008
28) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Cummins Ford, 29.375, 183.830, 2, 20, -0.307, -0.024
29) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Patriot Mobile/Folds of Honor Ford, 29.415, 183.580, 2, 14, -0.347, -0.040
30) Todd Gilliland, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 29.531, 182.859, 2, 15, -0.463, -0.116
31) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Shelton Companies Chevrolet, 29.567, 182.636, 3, 18, -0.499, -0.036
32) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 29.608, 182.383, 1, 11, -0.540, -0.041
33) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, 29.623, 182.291, 4, 18, -0.555, -0.015
34) Zane Smith(i), No. 38 Ambetter Health Ford, 29.628, 182.260, 7, 24, -0.560, -0.005
35) BJ McLeod(i), No. 78 Gunk Chevrolet, 29.640, 182.186, 3, 8, -0.572, -0.012
36) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 29.713, 181.739, 7, 15, -0.645, -0.073

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Kyle Larson (P), 5, 1, 10, 184.279 mph
2) Denny Hamlin (P), 11, 1, 10, 183.915
3) Ross Chastain (P), 1, 1, 10, 183.746
4) AJ Allmendinger, 16, 1, 10, 183.657
5) Kyle Busch (P), 8, 1, 10, 183.404
6) Martin Truex  Jr. (P), 19, 2, 11, 183.105
7) Justin Haley, 31, 1, 10, 183.057
8) Ty Gibbs #, 54, 3, 12, 183.025
9) Carson Hocevar(i), 42, 2, 11, 182.929
10) Chase Elliott (P), 9, 1, 10, 182.770
11) Chris Buescher (P), 17, 8, 17, 182.690
12) Erik Jones, 43, 10, 19, 182.350
13) Tyler Reddick (P), 45, 1, 10, 181.837
14) Ryan Preece, 41, 1, 10, 181.792
15) Kevin Harvick, 4, 2, 11, 181.655
16) Zane Smith(i), 38, 3, 12, 181.180
17) Chase Briscoe, 14, 2, 11, 180.588
Must run 10 consecutive laps to be included.

Time Trial Results: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Texas Motor Speedway

Round 1A
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Christopher Bell (P), No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.820 sec, 187.370 mph, 1, 1, 0.000, 0.000
2) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet, 28.848, 187.188, 1, 1, 0.028 sec, 0.028 sec
3) Kyle Busch (P), No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 28.854, 187.149, 1, 1, 0.034, 0.006
4) Brad Keselowski (P), No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 28.880, 186.981, 1, 1, 0.060, 0.026
5) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Kubota Chevrolet, 28.881, 186.974, 1, 1, 0.061, 0.001
6) Martin Truex  Jr. (P), No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 28.900, 186.851, 1, 1, 0.080, 0.019
7) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/Delo Ford, 28.944, 186.567, 1, 1, 0.124, 0.044
8) William Byron (P), No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 28.970, 186.400, 1, 1, 0.150, 0.026
9) Joey Logano, No. 22 AAA Insurance Ford, 29.010, 186.143, 1, 1, 0.190, 0.040
10) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 29.026, 186.040, 1, 1, 0.206, 0.016
11) Ryan Blaney (P), No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, 29.097, 185.586, 1, 1, 0.277, 0.071
12) Ricky Stenhouse  Jr., No. 47 Kroger/NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 29.110, 185.503, 1, 1, 0.290, 0.013
13) Ryan Preece, No. 41 Autodesk Ford, 29.117, 185.459, 1, 1, 0.297, 0.007
14) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Shelton Companies Chevrolet, 29.156, 185.211, 1, 1, 0.336, 0.039
15) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 29.184, 185.033, 1, 1, 0.364, 0.028
16) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 29.231, 184.735, 1, 1, 0.411, 0.047
17) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Patriot Mobile/Folds of Honor Ford, 29.555, 182.710, 1, 1, 0.735, 0.324
18) Todd Gilliland, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 29.571, 182.611, 1, 1, 0.751, 0.016

Round 1B
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, -Next
1) Bubba Wallace (P), No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 28.567 sec, 189.029 mph, 0.000, 0.000
2) Denny Hamlin (P), No. 11 FedEx Toyota, 28.585, 188.910, 0.018, 0.018
3) Ross Chastain (P), No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 28.639, 188.554, 0.072, 0.054
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.695, 188.186, 0.128, 0.056
5) Chris Buescher (P), No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 28.714, 188.062, 0.147, 0.019
6) Kyle Larson (P), No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 28.718, 188.035, 0.151, 0.004
7) Erik Jones, No. 43 vseverybody.com Chevrolet, 28.772, 187.682, 0.205, 0.054
8) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, 28.797, 187.520, 0.230, 0.025
9) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 28.800, 187.500, 0.233, 0.003
10) Tyler Reddick (P), No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota, 28.832, 187.292, 0.265, 0.032
11) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet, 29.006, 186.168, 0.439, 0.174
12) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, 29.091, 185.624, 0.524, 0.085
13) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 29.187, 185.014, 0.620, 0.096
14) Chase Elliott (P), No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, 29.220, 184.805, 0.653, 0.033
15) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Cummins Ford, 29.232, 184.729, 0.665, 0.012
16) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 29.277, 184.445, 0.710, 0.045
17) Zane Smith(i), No. 38 Ambetter Health Ford, 29.316, 184.200, 0.749, 0.039
18) BJ McLeod(i), No. 78 Gunk Chevrolet, 29.423, 183.530, 0.856, 0.107

Round 2
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, -Fastest, -Next
1) Bubba Wallace (P), 23, McDonald's Toyota, 28.672 sec, 188.337 mph, 0.000, 0.000
2) Chris Buescher (P), 17, Fastenal Ford, 28.711, 188.081, 0.039, 0.039
3) Brad Keselowski (P), 6, BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 28.740, 187.891, 0.068, 0.029
4) Ty Gibbs #, 54, Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.760, 187.761, 0.088, 0.020
5) Ross Chastain (P), 1, Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 28.769, 187.702, 0.097, 0.009
6) AJ Allmendinger, 16, Action Industries Chevrolet, 28.823, 187.350, 0.151, 0.054
7) Kyle Busch (P), 8, 3CHI Chevrolet, 28.885, 186.948, 0.213, 0.062
8) Daniel Suarez, 99, Kubota Chevrolet, 28.885, 186.948, 0.213, 0.000
9) Christopher Bell (P), 20, Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.893, 186.896, 0.221, 0.008
10) Denny Hamlin (P), 11, FedEx Toyota, 0.000, 0.000, -----, -----

Starting Lineup: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Texas Motor Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Bubba Wallace (P), No. 23 McDonald's Toyota, 28.672 sec, 188.337 mph
2) Chris Buescher (P), No. 17 Fastenal Ford, 28.711, 188.081
3) Brad Keselowski (P), No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, 28.740, 187.891
4) Ty Gibbs #, No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.760, 187.761
5) Ross Chastain (P), No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, 28.769, 187.702
6) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet, 28.823, 187.350
7) Kyle Busch (P), No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet, 28.885, 186.948
8) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Kubota Chevrolet, 28.885, 186.948
9) Christopher Bell (P), No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota, 28.893, 186.896
10) Denny Hamlin (P), No. 11 FedEx Toyota, 0.000, 0.000
11) Kyle Larson (P), No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 28.718, 188.035
12) Erik Jones, No. 43 vseverybody.com Chevrolet, 28.772, 187.682
13) Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, 28.797, 187.520
14) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 28.800, 187.500
15) Tyler Reddick (P), No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota, 28.832, 187.292
16) Martin Truex  Jr. (P), No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 28.900, 186.851
17) Michael McDowell, No. 34 Love's/Delo Ford, 28.944, 186.567
18) William Byron (P), No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet, 28.970, 186.400
19) Carson Hocevar(i), No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet, 29.006, 186.168
20) Joey Logano, No. 22 AAA Insurance Ford, 29.010, 186.143
21) Aric Almirola, No. 10 Smithfield Ford, 29.026, 186.040
22) Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, 29.091, 185.624
23) Ryan Blaney (P), No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, 29.097, 185.586
24) Ricky Stenhouse  Jr., No. 47 Kroger/NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, 29.110, 185.503
25) Ryan Preece, No. 41 Autodesk Ford, 29.117, 185.459
26) Ty Dillon, No. 77 Shelton Companies Chevrolet, 29.156, 185.211
27) Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 29.184, 185.033
28) Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, 29.187, 185.014
29) Chase Elliott (P), No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, 29.220, 184.805
30) Harrison Burton, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford, 29.231, 184.735
31) Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Cummins Ford, 29.232, 184.729
32) Austin Cindric, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford, 29.277, 184.445
33) Zane Smith(i), No. 38 Ambetter Health Ford, 29.316, 184.200
34) BJ McLeod(i), No. 78 Gunk Chevrolet, 29.423, 183.530
35) JJ Yeley(i), No. 15 Patriot Mobile/Folds of Honor Ford, 29.555, 182.710
36) Todd Gilliland, No. 51 Biohaven/Jacob Co. Ford, 29.571, 182.611
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie, (P) Playoffs

Track Qualifying Record: Kurt Busch, 11/05/17, 26.877 sec, 200.915 mph

Track Race Record: Greg Biffle, 04/14/12 03:07:12, 160.577 mph