Busch brothers lead Cup Road America practice

For the first time since 1956, NASCAR Cup Series cars are on track at Road America. Saturday’s activities included the lone practice session for the series ahead of Sunday’s qualifying and race. After fifty minutes, Kurt Busch was the fastest of forty drivers ahead of younger brother Kyle Busch, though the latter will have to go to a backup car and start at the rear in the race after a crash.

The older Busch, who has not won on a road course since Sonoma 2011, was the only driver to set a fastest lap time below 134 seconds at 133.849 with a speed of 108.875 mph. Kyle followed at 134.116 seconds, but went off course and spun while leading the session, resulting in damage to the rear.

NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Austin Cindric, who won the pole for his series’ race earlier in the day and the 2020 Road America event, placed third at 134.280; he led four laps in his most recent Cup start at fellow road course COTA in May. Another Xfinity driver and road course ace joined him in the top ten as A.J. Allmendinger, who won the 2013 Xfinity event, placed seventh.

Kyle Busch was not the only driver with problems during practice as Ryan Preece spun in turn eleven on his first lap and damaged the front, also forcing him to switch to a backup. Road ringer Kyle Tilley went into the gravel trap and finished thirty-fifth.

Ryan Eversley was thirty-eighth in his first official Cup action. Sunday’s race will mark the sports car regular’s maiden Cup start.

Qualifying will take place on Sunday prior to the Jockey Made in America 250. As forty drivers are entered, nobody will miss the race.

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