Erik Jones ends second Richmond practice on top

Five minutes into the second session, 30 cars had completed early runs with Erik Jones taking the top spot with a lap of 120.714mph. Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard, Chris Buescher, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano.

After the first 15 minutes of the 55-minute session, 33 drivers had posted times. Jones remained on top, but Martin Truex Jr. jumped up to fifth quick (119.941mph). Austin Dillon, Hamlin, Newman, Earnhardt and Kenseth rounded out the top 10.

NASCAR released Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Jamie McMurray and Ryan Blaney after 15-minute holds for failing inspection. The Nos. 1 and 17 failed the Laser Inspection Station. Blaney failed templates twice.

The only change to the top 10 single-lap speeds after the first half-hour was Clint Bowyer bouncing up to ninth. He was the only driver in the second half of practice to break through into the top 10.

For Jones, who was second quick in first practice, the lap was a solid recovery after grazing the wall on Friday.

“I’ve run Richmond a few times in the Xfinity Series and always run well and even came close to getting a win last fall,” Jones said. “The 77 Camry has been fast all year and I know this weekend will be no different. Everyone on the 77 team is ready for the finishes we deserve, we just need a little luck to finish races where we run early on and throughout the day.

“If we can put all the pieces together, we should be able to run up front and contend for a top five again this weekend.”

Landon Cassill’s 66 laps were the most completed during the session.

Jones also led the Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average category with a speed of 118.876mph followed by Harvick (118.670mph), Menard (118.664mph), Buescher (118.621mph), Hamlin (118.596mph), Austin Dillon (118.584mph), Earnhardt (118.561mph), Kenseth (118.523mph), Newman (118.455mph) and Danica Patrick (118.404mph).

Cla	#	Driver	Manufacturer	Laps	Time	Gap	Interval	Mph
1	77	Erik Jones	Toyota	39	22.367			120.714
2	4	Kevin Harvick	Ford	29	22.491	0.124	0.124	120.048
3	27	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	44	22.499	0.132	0.008	120.005
4	37	Chris Buescher	Chevrolet	40	22.505	0.138	0.006	119.973
5	78	Martin Truex Jr.	Toyota	40	22.511	0.144	0.006	119.941
6	3	Austin Dillon	Chevrolet	54	22.551	0.184	0.040	119.729
7	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	48	22.559	0.192	0.008	119.686
8	31	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	50	22.560	0.193	0.001	119.681
9	14	Clint Bowyer	Ford	54	22.600	0.233	0.040	119.469
10	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	57	22.602	0.235	0.002	119.458

CLICK HERE for complete practice results