Michael McDowell and Ford lead Friday's Daytona practice
Reigning Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell topped Friday’s lone NASCAR Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway.
McDowell and his Front Row Motorsports teammate, Todd Gilliland, were drafting late in the session when McDowell posted his fastest average lap speed of 192.678 mph. McDowell had finished second in Thursday night’s second qualifying race.
Gilliland ended up second-fastest (192.361 mph) and David Ragan was third (192.274 mph). Chris Buescher – who won Thursday night’s second qualifying race – was fourth and his RFK Racing teammate, Brad Keselowski – who won Thursday night’s first qualifying race – ended up fifth.
Completing the top-10 average speeds were Cody Ware, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Aric Almirola and Noah Gragson.
In all, Fords owned eight of the top-10 speeds.
The session was incident-free with 34 of the 40 cars entered in Sunday’s Daytona 500 taking to the track.
Most of those who practiced, spent at least some time in the draft while many also took time to practice getting on and off pit road.
Related video
Friday Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series practice results
Hamlin: Daytona 500 risks being “strung out” due to Next Gen draft
Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it'
Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it' Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it'
Zane Smith proud of "outstanding job" with Coke 600 top-10
Zane Smith proud of "outstanding job" with Coke 600 top-10 Zane Smith proud of "outstanding job" with Coke 600 top-10
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
Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow
Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow Inside the FIA’s bold mission to unearth the WRC stars of tomorrow
Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it'
Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it' Winning a grueling Coke 600 showed Blaney 'can still do it'
Permane: Alpine is not "a Monaco-special car”
Permane: Alpine is not "a Monaco-special car” Permane: Alpine is not "a Monaco-special car”
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids” Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
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.