Custer Rules Homestead Xfinity Sessions, Sanchez Wins Truck Pole

Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender Boats 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 20, 2023 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

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(HOMESTEAD, FL – OCT 20, 2023 – RIS) Cole Custer ran the table in practice and qualifying for the Contender Boats 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, setting the quickest lap times in practice and in qualifying, plus the fastest five and ten-lap average speeds, in his No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang out of the Stewart-Haas Racing shops.
Earlier in the day, Nick Sanchez ran fourth in practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Baptist Health Cancer Car 200 race, beating out Carson Hocevar by 0.239 second.

The sole practice session for NASCAR Xfinity cars opened with John Hunter Nemechek first on the track, followed closely by Sammy Smith, with Cole Custer soon setting the top lap time early. Dale Earnhardt Jr’s early laps were against the outside wall and among the top ten speeds. With lap times dropping off by about three and a half seconds over a run, Custer still held onto the top speed as well as the top five and ten-lap averages as the session ended with qualifying coming up in only a few minutes after the end of practice.

In qualifying, Dale Earnhardt Jr was first on the track thanks to NASCAR’s system of allocating points and he bobbled in the second turn, recording a time of only 33.843 seconds at 159.560 mph. 

Natalie Decker, next out, picked up from her practice time, but still only recorded a 35.628 second, 151.566 mph lap. JJ Yeley next out, clocked a 34.419 second lap, followed by Matt Mills and his time of 34.411 seconds moved him to second at the time.

Kyle Sieg hit the track next, lost time on the exit of the second turn and recorded a lap of 33.971 seconds, to bump Mills out of second place. Patrick Emerling all but spun in the second turn, almost looking like a dirt tracker, for a 35.835 second lap. Dawson Cram moved to third on the chart so far, at 34.294 second, and Ryan Newman, in one of his rare returns to NASCAR, moved into second place at 33.939 seconds. Mason Maggio followed Newman and scored a lap of 34.271 seconds for fourth on the sheets. Jeffrey Earnhardt, Dale Jr’s nephew, only lapped in 34.357, with Mason Massey circling the track in 34.925 seconds.

Leland Honeyman, one of many graduates of the Legend car ranks, recorded a lap of 34.092 seconds to slip between Kyle sieg and Mason Maggio for fourth at the time. Kyle Weatherman posted the fastest lap so far, at 33.583 seconds and 169.796 mph to move into the top position. Josh Williams parked his No. 92 Chevy well in the grid with a lap of 34.081, then Anthony Alfredo hit the track and recorded a lap of 34.278 seconds. Brennan Poole, next on track, ran a 34.215 second pass. Kaz Grala became the fastest Toyota so far, moving into second place at 33.268 seconds and 160.580 mph. Ryan Ellis followed Grala onto the track and had a fluid leak that slowed his time, only recording a 36.200 / 149.171 lap. CJ McLaughlin’s lap was the slowest yet, at 36.313/148.707 probably due to the moisture on the track. Following his lap, the session paused for the safety crew to check the track and make the needed cleanup.

Jeremy Clements, in a Kyle Petty throwback paint scheme, ran a quick lap early, then lost time in the third and fourth turns but still ran third fastest, at 33.822 second. Derek Kraus’ lap of 33.671 moved him to third so far, followed by Brett Moffitt’s lap of 33.028 / 163.498 moted the No. 25 Ford into first place. Connor Mosack recorded the fifth-fastest time at 33.753, followed by Jeb Burton’s 34,149. Ryan Sieg hit the track next and moved to second on the pylon at 33.407 / 161.643. 

Parker Retzlaff clocked a lap in 33.463 seconds, with Parker Kligerman next on the track with a lap of 33.138 to move to second. Joe Graf Jr set a qualifying effort of 33.155 / 162.871 for third place, then Brandon Jones  ran a 33.528 lap before Josh Berry moved to second place on the chart, at 0.110 second slower than Moffitt, at 33.038 / 163.448. 

Riley Herbst, 32nd car on the track, moved into second place at 33.037 / 163.453, followed by Sheldon Creed, with a 33.068 second lap. Sammy Smith, next out, became the fastest yet, at 33.020 / 163.537. Daniel Hemric set the ninth-fastest time so far at 33.425 / 161.556. Sam Mayer ran eight-fastest with his lap of 33.201 seconds, then Austin Hill hit the track, moving into the 32-second range at 32.940 / 163.934 for the quickest lap so far.

Justin Allgaier immediately became the fastest qualifier  at 32.888 / 164.194, then Chandler Smith ran third fastest at 33.020 seconds.

Cole Custer, the final qualifier before John Hunter Nemechek, ran even faster, with a lap of 32.608 / 165.604, leaving only Nemechek to run.

Point leader Nemechek recorded the second-fastest time, at 32.786 / 164.704 to end the session.  JJ Yeley, Natalie Decker and Matt Mills failed to qualify for the 38-car field.

Practice: Contender Boats 300, Homestead-Miami Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Cole Custer (P), No. 00 Haas Automation Ford, 32.964 sec, 163.815 mph, 1, 27, ---, ---
2) John H. Nemechek (P), No. 20 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, 33.261, 162.352, 1, 31, -0.297 sec, -0.297 sec
3) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet, 33.387, 161.740, 1, 22, -0.423, -0.126
4) Austin Hill (P), No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet, 33.457, 161.401, 1, 27, -0.493, -0.070
5) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 33.474, 161.319, 1, 28, -0.510, -0.017
6) Josh Berry, No. 8 Tire Pros Love The Drive Chevrolet, 33.488, 161.252, 1, 28, -0.524, -0.014
7) Sammy Smith # (P), No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota, 33.537, 161.016, 1, 31, -0.573, -0.049
8) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Alsco Uniforms Chevrolet, 33.583, 160.796, 1, 17, -0.619, -0.046
9) Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, 33.594, 160.743, 1, 21, -0.630, -0.011
10) Brett Moffitt, No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford, 33.605, 160.690, 1, 20, -0.641, -0.011
11) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 33.621, 160.614, 1, 24, -0.657, -0.016
12) Sheldon Creed (P), No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 33.629, 160.576, 1, 29, -0.665, -0.008
13) Chandler Smith # (P), No. 16 Quick Tie Products Inc. Chevrolet, 33.629, 160.576, 1, 29, -0.665, -0.000
14) Justin Allgaier (P), No. 7 hellowater Chevrolet, 33.655, 160.452, 1, 27, -0.691, -0.026
15) Daniel Hemric (P), No. 10 Cirkul Chevrolet, 33.727, 160.109, 2, 24, -0.763, -0.072
16) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 33.741, 160.043, 1, 25, -0.777, -0.014
17) Derek Kraus, No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet, 33.834, 159.603, 1, 24, -0.870, -0.093
18) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Fly and Form Structures Chevrolet, 33.936, 159.123, 1, 17, -0.972, -0.102
19) Sam Mayer (P), No. 1 Accelerate Pros Talent Chevrolet, 34.001, 158.819, 1, 21, -1.037, -0.065
20) Kaz Grala, No. 26 CRUSH Lemonade Toyota, 34.048, 158.600, 1, 28, -1.084, -0.047
21) Parker Retzlaff #, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 34.144, 158.154, 1, 30, -1.180, -0.096
22) Joe Graf Jr., No. 19 Wawa Toyota, 34.229, 157.761, 3, 25, -1.265, -0.085
23) Kyle Weatherman, No. 91 Tweaker Energy Drinks Chevrolet, 34.244, 157.692, 1, 14, -1.280, -0.015
24) Josh Williams, No. 92 StarTron/Alloy Chevrolet, 34.309, 157.393, 1, 21, -1.345, -0.065
25) Dawson Cram, No. 74 Lerner & Rowe Injury Lawyers Chevrolet, 34.349, 157.210, 1, 7, -1.385, -0.040
26) JJ Yeley, No. 4 IFCJ.org Chevrolet, 34.404, 156.958, 1, 15, -1.440, -0.055
27) Kyle Sieg, No. 38 Lefcourt Brothers Ford, 34.432, 156.831, 1, 20, -1.468, -0.028
28) Ryan Newman, No. 66 Generex Generators Ford, 34.494, 156.549, 1, 18, -1.530, -0.062
29) Connor Mosack, No. 24 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, 34.531, 156.381, 2, 25, -1.567, -0.037
30) Anthony Alfredo, No. 78 Nuthin Fancy Chevrolet, 34.585, 156.137, 1, 20, -1.621, -0.054
31) Blaine Perkins #, No. 02 AutoParkit.com Chevrolet, 34.707, 155.588, 1, 18, -1.743, -0.122
32) Leland Honeyman, No. 45 Nuthin Fancy/Realtree Chevrolet, 34.733, 155.472, 3, 20, -1.769, -0.026
33) Jeffrey Earnhardt, No. 44 ForeverLawn Chevrolet, 34.769, 155.311, 1, 12, -1.805, -0.036
34) Brennan Poole, No. 6 KSDT CPA Chevrolet, 34.846, 154.968, 1, 13, -1.882, -0.077
35) Patrick Emerling, No. 35 Sci Aps Chevrolet, 34.966, 154.436, 1, 18, -2.002, -0.120
36) Matt Mills(i), No. 53 J.F. Electric Toyota, 35.105, 153.824, 1, 13, -2.141, -0.139
37) Mason Maggio(i), No. 29 Flitz Polish Ford, 35.186, 153.470, 1, 20, -2.222, -0.081
38) Ryan Ellis, No. 43 Classic Collision Chevrolet, 35.345, 152.780, 2, 23, -2.381, -0.159
39) Mason Massey, No. 08 Anderson Power Services Ford, 35.765, 150.986, 1, 15, -2.801, -0.420
40) CJ McLaughlin, No. 28 Sci Aps Ford, 36.116, 149.518, 1, 15, -3.152, -0.351
41) Natalie Decker, No. 07 Wawa Rechargers Chevrolet, 36.251, 148.961, 7, 7, -3.287, -0.135

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Cole Custer (P), No. 00 Haas Automation Ford, 1, 10, 157.475 mph
2) John Hunter Nemechek (P), No. 20 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, 1, 10, 157.103
3) Sammy Smith # (P), No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota, 1, 10, 156.239
4) Austin Hill (P), No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.975
5) Daniel Hemric (P), No. 10 Cirkul Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.953
6) Justin Allgaier (P), No. 7 hellowater Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.470
7) Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.464
8) Brett Moffitt, No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford, 1, 10, 155.330
9) Chandler Smith # (P), No. 16 Quick Tie Products Inc. Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.295
10) Kaz Grala, No. 26 CRUSH Lemonade Toyota, 1, 10, 155.170
11) Josh Berry, No. 8 Tire Pros Love The Drive Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.044
12) Sheldon Creed (P), No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 1, 10, 155.041
13) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 1, 10, 154.963
14) Joe Graf Jr., No. 19 Wawa Toyota, 1, 10, 154.842
15) Derek Kraus, No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet, 1, 10, 154.760
16) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 1, 10, 154.709
17) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet, 1, 10, 154.492
18) Sam Mayer (P), No. 1 Accelerate Pros Talent Chevrolet, 1, 10, 154.269
19) Parker Retzlaff #, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 1, 10, 154.002
20) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 4, 13, 153.205
21) Connor Mosack, No. 24 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, 1, 10, 152.805
22) Kyle Sieg, No. 38 Lefcourt Brothers Ford, 1, 10, 151.629
23) Leland Honeyman, No. 45 Nuthin Fancy/Realtree Chevrolet, 1, 10, 151.512
24) Ryan Newman, No. 66 Generex Generators Ford, 5, 14, 150.343
25) Josh Williams, No. 92 StarTron/Alloy Chevrolet, 7, 16, 149.068
26) Ryan Ellis, No. 43 Classic Collision Chevrolet, 11, 20, 146.355
27) Mason Maggio(i), No. 29 Flitz Polish Ford, 9, 18, 146.271
28) CJ McLaughlin, No. 28 Sci Aps Ford, 5, 14, 142.144
Must run 10 consecutive laps to be included

Qualifying: Contender Boats 300 - Homestead-Miami Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, , Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Cole Custer (P), No. 00 Haas Automation Ford, 32.608 sec, 165.604 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) John Hunter Nemechek (P), No. 20 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, 32.786, 164.704, 1, 1, 0.178 sec, 0.178 sec
3) Justin Allgaier (P), No. 7 hellowater Chevrolet, 32.888, 164.194, 1, 1, 0.280, 0.102
4) Austin Hill (P), No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet, 32.940, 163.934, 1, 1, 0.332, 0.052
5) Sammy Smith # (P), No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota, 33.020, 163.537, 1, 1, 0.412, 0.080
6) Brett Moffitt, No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford, 33.028, 163.498, 1, 1, 0.420, 0.008
7) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 33.037, 163.453, 1, 1, 0.429, 0.009
8) Josh Berry, No. 8 Tire Pros Love The Drive Chevrolet, 33.038, 163.448, 1, 1, 0.430, 0.001
9) Sheldon Creed (P), No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 33.068, 163.300, 1, 1, 0.460, 0.030
10) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet, 33.138, 162.955, 1, 1, 0.530, 0.070
11) Joe Graf Jr., No. 19 Wawa Toyota, 33.155, 162.871, 1, 1, 0.547, 0.017
12) Chandler Smith # (P), No. 16 Quick Tie Products Inc. Chevrolet, 33.167, 162.812, 1, 1, 0.559, 0.012
13) Sam Mayer (P), No. 1 Accelerate Pros Talent Chevrolet, 33.201, 162.646, 1, 1, 0.593, 0.034
14) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 33.407, 161.643, 1, 1, 0.799, 0.206
15) Daniel Hemric (P), No. 10 Cirkul Chevrolet, 33.425, 161.556, 1, 1, 0.817, 0.018
16) Parker Retzlaff #, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 33.463, 161.372, 1, 1, 0.855, 0.038
17) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 33.528, 161.059, 1, 1, 0.920, 0.065
18) Kyle Weatherman, No. 91 Tweaker Energy Drinks Chevrolet, 33.583, 160.796, 1, 1, 0.975, 0.055
19) Kaz Grala, No. 26 CRUSH Lemonade Toyota, 33.628, 160.580, 1, 1, 1.020, 0.045
20) Derek Kraus, No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet, 33.671, 160.375, 1, 1, 1.063, 0.043
21) Connor Mosack, No. 24 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, 33.753, 159.986, 1, 1, 1.145, 0.082
22) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Fly and Form Structures Chevrolet, 33.822, 159.659, 1, 1, 1.214, 0.069
23) Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, 33.843, 159.560, 1, 1, 1.235, 0.021
24) Ryan Newman, No. 66 Generx Generators Ford, 33.939, 159.109, 1, 1, 1.331, 0.096
25) Kyle Sieg, No. 38 Lefcourt Brothers Ford, 33.971, 158.959, 1, 1, 1.363, 0.032
26) Josh Williams, No. 92 StarTron/Alloy Chevrolet, 34.081, 158.446, 1, 1, 1.473, 0.110
27) Leland Honeyman, No. 45 Nuthin Fancy/Realtree Chevrolet, 34.093, 158.390, 1, 1, 1.485, 0.012
28) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Alsco Uniforms Chevrolet, 34.149, 158.131, 1, 1, 1.541, 0.056
29) Brennan Poole, No. 6 KSDT CPA Chevrolet, 34.215, 157.826, 1, 1, 1.607, 0.066
30) Mason Maggio(i), No. 29 Flitz Polish Ford, 34.271, 157.568, 1, 1, 1.663, 0.056
31) Anthony Alfredo, No. 78 Nuthin Fancy Chevrolet, 34.278, 157.535, 1, 1, 1.670, 0.007
32) Dawson Cram, No. 74 Lerner & Rowe Injury Lawyers Chevrolet, 34.294, 157.462, 1, 1, 1.686, 0.016
33) Jeffrey Earnhardt, No. 44 ForeverLawn Chevrolet, 34.357, 157.173, 1, 1, 1.749, 0.063
34) Blaine Perkins # (OP), No. 02 AutoParkit.com Chevrolet, 34.499, 156.526, 1, 1, 1.891, 0.142
35) Mason Massey (OP), No. 08 Anderson Power Services Ford, 34.925, 154.617, 1, 1, 2.317, 0.426
36) Patrick Emerling (OP), No. 35 Sci Aps Chevrolet, 35.835, 150.691, 1, 1, 3.227, 0.910
37) Ryan Ellis(OP), No. 43 Classic Collision Chevrolet, 36.200, 149.171, 1, 1, 3.592, 0.365
38) CJ McLaughlin (OP), No. 28 Sci Aps Ford, 36.313, 148.707, 1, 1, 3.705, 0.113
39) Matt Mills(i), No. 53 J.F. Electric Toyota, 34.411, 156.927, 1, 1, 1.803, 1.902
40) JJ Yeley, No. 4 IFCJ.org Chevrolet, 34.419, 156.890, 1, 1, 1.811, 0.008
41) Natalie Decker, No. 07 Wawa Rechargers Chevrolet, 35.628, 151.566, 1, 1, 3.020, 1.209

Starting Line Up: Contender Boats 300 - Homestead-Miami Speedway
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Cole Custer (P), No. 00 Haas Automation Ford, 32.608 sec, 165.604 mph
2) John Hunter Nemechek (P), No. 20 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, 32.786, 164.704
3) Justin Allgaier (P), No. 7 hellowater Chevrolet, 32.888, 164.194
4) Austin Hill (P), No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet, 32.940, 163.934
5) Sammy Smith # (P), No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota, 33.020, 163.537
6) Brett Moffitt, No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford, 33.028, 163.498
7) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 33.037, 163.453
8) Josh Berry, No. 8 Tire Pros Love The Drive Chevrolet, 33.038, 163.448
9) Sheldon Creed (P), No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 33.068, 163.300
10) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet, 33.138, 162.955
11) Joe Graf Jr., No. 19 Wawa Toyota, 33.155, 162.871
12) Chandler Smith # (P), No. 16 Quick Tie Products Inc. Chevrolet, 33.167, 162.812
13) Sam Mayer (P), No. 1 Accelerate Pros Talent Chevrolet, 33.201, 162.646
14) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 33.407, 161.643
15) Daniel Hemric (P), No. 10 Cirkul Chevrolet, 33.425, 161.556
16) Parker Retzlaff #, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 33.463, 161.372
17) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 33.528, 161.059
18) Kyle Weatherman, No. 91 Tweaker Energy Drinks Chevrolet, 33.583, 160.796
19) Kaz Grala, No. 26 CRUSH Lemonade Toyota, 33.628, 160.580
20) Derek Kraus, No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet, 33.671, 160.375
21) Connor Mosack, No. 24 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, 33.753, 159.986
22) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Fly and Form Structures Chevrolet, 33.822, 159.659
23) Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, 33.843, 159.560
24) Ryan Newman, No. 66 Generx Generators Ford, 33.939, 159.109
25) Kyle Sieg, No. 38 Lefcourt Brothers Ford, 33.971, 158.959
26) Josh Williams, No. 92 StarTron/Alloy Chevrolet, 34.081, 158.446
27) Leland Honeyman, No. 45 Nuthin Fancy/Realtree Chevrolet, 34.093, 158.390
28) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Alsco Uniforms Chevrolet, 34.149, 158.131
29) Brennan Poole, No. 6 KSDT CPA Chevrolet, 34.215, 157.826
30) Mason Maggio(i), No. 29 Flitz Polish Ford, 34.271, 157.568
31) Anthony Alfredo, No. 78 Nuthin Fancy Chevrolet, 34.278, 157.535
32) Dawson Cram, No. 74 Lerner & Rowe Injury Lawyers Chevrolet, 34.294, 157.462
33) Jeffrey Earnhardt, No. 44 ForeverLawn Chevrolet, 34.357, 157.173
34) Blaine Perkins #, No. 02 AutoParkit.com Chevrolet, Owner Points, ---
35) Mason Massey, No. 08 Anderson Power Services Ford, Owner Points, ---
36) Patrick Emerling, No. 35 Sci Aps Chevrolet, Owner Points, ---
37) Ryan Ellis, No. 43 Classic Collision Chevrolet, Owner Points, ---
38) CJ McLaughlin, No. 28 Sci Aps Ford, Owner Points, ---
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie, (P) Playoffs

Did Not Qualify: No. 53 Matt Mills(i), No. 4 JJ Yeley, No. 07 Natalie Decker

Track Qualifying Record: Casey Mears  11/20/04 30.348 177.936

Track Race Record: Tyler Reddick  11/17/18 02:08:06 140.515