NSCS: McMurray and Harvick lead final practices for Quickens Loans Race for Heroes 500

On Saturday afternoon at Phoenix International Raceway, Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick would lead the final practices for the Quickens Loans Race for Heroes 500.

McMurray would lead the first practice with a lap of 26.257 seconds as he looks to play spoiler in being the third non-Chase driver to win a race. He has been close throughout the Chase as Chip Ganassi Racing has shown speed during the past couple of weeks, versus the struggles of the beginning of the year.

Chasers Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano would follow as they look to be one of the four drivers that move forward to Homestead-Miami Speedway with a shot at the championship. Martinsville Speedway winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. would round out the top-five.

Chaser Jeff Gordon was sixth, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Chaser Denny Hamlin. Hamlin will start Sunday’s race from the pole.

Harvick would lead the second practice with a lap of 26.011 seconds as he looks to make another trip to Phoenix’s victory lane following a dominating performance in the spring event.

Chaser Brad Keselowski was second quickest as he looks to put last week’s fight behind him. Kurt Busch was third, followed by Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart.

Gordon was sixth, followed by Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Casey Mears and Chaser Matt Kenseth.