AVONDALE, Ariz. – William Byron was fastest during the opening NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday at Phoenix Raceway.
Byron led the way in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with a speed of 134.595 mph at the one-mile speedway.
He was followed on the practice charts by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott, who completed a 133.849 mph lap. Brad Keselowski was third for Team Penske, followed by Stewart-Haas Racing’s Clint Bowyer and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kurt Busch.
There were a handful of minor incidents during the session, which saw Aric Almirola and Byron both scrap the wall. Neither car was seriously damaged. Corey LaJoie made contact with the turn one wall late in the session, damaging the right-rear of his car.