Truex fastest in first practice

Michael Waltrip Racing driver, Martin Truex Jr tops the speed charts in first practice for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Truex posted a lap of 176.661 MPH in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry to beat out Hendrick Motorsports driver, Kasey Kahne.

Kahne, who has had an extremely up and down season, turned in a lap of 176.494 MPH in his Farmers Insurance Chevrolet. Kahne has  two poles at the South Florida track, with four top-10 finishes in nine starts.

Richard Childress Racing driver, Paul Menard was third fastest with a lap of 175.787 MPH in his Menards Chevrolet. Menard’s average starting position at Homestead is 22nd.

Truex’s teammate, Clint Bowyer, scored the fourth fastest lap in his 5-Hour Energy Toyota. Bowyer is looking to salvage a disappointing Chase for the Championship. Bowyer has four top-10 finishes in seven starts at the 1.5 mile oval.

Rounding out the top-5 is Roush-Fenway Racing driver, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse who should secure the 2013 Rookie of the Year championship this weekend, posted a lap of 175.575 MPH in the No. 17  Ford Ecoboost Ford. Roush-Fenway has been the most successful team at Homestead, winning six of the last nine races.

Championship contenders, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth posted the 11th and 19th fastest laps respectively. Johnson currently lead Kenseth by 28 points and only needs to finish 23rd or better to clinch the title.