Kyle Busch spins but still leads Cup practice at COTA
Kyle Busch survived a spin unscathed but still led the way in Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Circuit of the Americas.
Busch’s average lap speed of 92.681 mph ended up fastest overall of the 50-minute session, which was split into two groups.
Daniel Suarez, from Group B, was second-fastest overall (92.602 mph) and Alex Bowman was third (92.557 mph). Harrison Burton and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top-five overall.
Group B
The Group B practice was cut to just 17 minutes due to the incidents in the first session.
Suarez ended up with the fastest average speed (92.602 mph) in the abbreviated practice. Bowman was second (92.557 mph) and Burton was third (92.436 mph).
Reddick and Ross Chastain rounded out the top-five.
About midway through the session, Burton spun and went off course but was able to continue on and did not appear to suffer any damage.
Group A
Kyle Busch led the way in an incident-packed first 30-minute practice session that included a spin.
After posting his fastest average speed of 92.681 mph about 25 minutes into the session, Busch spun on course but was able to continue on without any issues.
About nine minutes into the session, Ryan Blaney went off course, spun and hit the outside foam barrier. He was able to drive away from the incident. There did not appear to be much damage to his No. 12 Ford.
“I hit the curb in (Turn) 10 wrong,” Blaney said. “It’s kind of a big jump there and I kind of over-corrected. Luckily, we didn’t get much damage.”
In fact, Blaney ended up with the second-fastest average speed (92.377 mph) of the session. A.J. Allmendinger was third (92.346 mph), Cole Custer fourth and Austin Cindric rounded out the top-five.
With three minutes remaining left in the session, Joey Hand had an issue with his right-front tire that tore up the fender and brought out a caution.
Related video
NASCAR Cup COTA practice results: Busch leads
NASCAR Cup at COTA qualifying results: Blaney takes pole
Despite slow start to year, Reddick "always had the speed"
Despite slow start to year, Reddick "always had the speed" Despite slow start to year, Reddick "always had the speed"
Byron "could have done better" in OT restarts at COTA
Byron "could have done better" in OT restarts at COTA Byron "could have done better" in OT restarts at COTA
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Steiner: Hulkenberg's F1 experience already paying off for Haas
Steiner: Hulkenberg's F1 experience already paying off for Haas Steiner: Hulkenberg's F1 experience already paying off for Haas
Bezzecchi doesn't expect consistent repeats of Portugal MotoGP podium in 2023
Bezzecchi doesn't expect consistent repeats of Portugal MotoGP podium in 2023 Bezzecchi doesn't expect consistent repeats of Portugal MotoGP podium in 2023
Equal-gender racing team plots F1 entry in 2026
Equal-gender racing team plots F1 entry in 2026 Equal-gender racing team plots F1 entry in 2026
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.