Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Two-time Kansas Speedway winner Matt Kenseth seems to be the guy to beat this weekend in the heartland.
Kenseth won the pole on Friday for the Hollywood Casino 400, and was the only driver to break into the 28-second bracket during Saturday’s two practice sessions.
Kenseth was quickest in final practice where he posted a fast lap of 28.976 seconds. The lap put down by the No. 20 Toyota was quicker than Kyle Larson, who was second, by almost a full tenth of a second.
Kurt Busch was third in practice, but it wasn’t all good news for the No. 41 team. Busch cut a tire down in the final seconds of practice, and spun into the grass. Damage was done to the splitter, which will force the team to roll out a backup car. Busch will now have to forego his 15th-place starting spot, and start from the rear of the field on Sunday.
Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five in practice.
Austin Dillon, Martin Truex, Jr., Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski and Jamie McMurray made up the rest of the top-10.
Much like the morning practice, several Chase drivers struggled, but none as bad as Charlotte winner Jimmie Johnson. Johnson was 25th in the morning session, and 23rd in final practice.
