Darrell Wallace Jr. starts 16th in the No. 43 Ford.
It's the Pocono 400 from Pocono Raceway in scenic Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Scott is the only one to win a Cup race, on December 1, 1963, and the next win at a NASCAR national event by a black driver came in 2013 when Wallace took the Truck Series checkered flag at Martinsville. NASCAR only held one practice session on both Friday and Saturday.
Busch poked fun at his terse response-and-drop to a question a couple of weeks ago that was scrutinized around NASCAR.
Wallaces laps during NASCARs first practice session were amplified because of the little slice of history he made at Pocono Raceway.
Busch has suddenly mastered the art of starting first. Busch won the pole at Dover International Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing star really went through the paces in this final chance to dial-in for Sunday's race. Busch crew chief Adams Stevens, tire carrier Kenny Barber and tire changer Jake Seminara were suspended four races for the infraction and will not be at Pocono. JGR named race engineer Ben Beshore interim crew chief.
"I think it just shows Adam Stevens is able to prepare his team, prepare his cars", Busch said. "This whole team is lined up with good personnel and Adam chooses all that".
Brad Keselowski takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR xfinity Series auto race Saturday
His crew chief is beginning to serve a four-race suspension this weekend.
Defending race victor Kurt Busch was sixth fastest (174.910 mph), Ryan Newman was seventh fastest at 174.907 miles per hour, Jimmie Johnson was eighth fastest at 174.897 miles per hour, Kasey Kahne was ninth fastest at 174.710 miles per hour, and Joey Logano was 10th fastest at 174.710 miles per hour.
Wallace tried to treat practice like any other NASCAR rookie and not the guy who on Sunday will become just the eighth black driver to race in the top Cup series. Wallace is filling in for injured driver Aric Almirola at Richard Petty Motorsports. Wallace, who raced in the Xfinity Series for Jack Roush, has the ride until Almirola returns.
"When you look at the stretch, I think the biggest thing is we looked at none of them are [playoff] races", Busch said. "The King is over there smiling, I hope, maybe a little grin".
"So far, so good and to come out here gives us the No. 1 pit selection and gives us the track position to start, but we have to keep it", Busch said. Wallace, the son of a white father and black mother, seemed at ease on the track and off - handling fans, the vehicle and the media with the confidence of a veteran. Its big and its got to be talked about and I understand that.. I love talking to (the media). He won races at every active Cup track except Pocono and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch will go for his first checkered flag with a backup crew. "The intent of the rule wasn't quite what transpired there, but we live and die by the rule book I guess, so the consequences are there".
SNP victory in Scotland would 'triple lock' second independence vote
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the SNP had spent the last 10 years "obsessively campaigning for independence". At every election they pretend they are fighting for the greater good but all they ever fight for is independence".
Comments