Kyle Larson was fastest in Friday’s first of two NASCAR Cup practices at Darlington Raceway.
Larson covered the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval at a speed of 173.064 mph, the only driver to exceed 173 mph.
Denny Hamlin, who was fastest in the Xfinity Series practice that preceded the Cup practice, was second at 172.644 mph.
Third through 10th were Brad Keselowski (172.584), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (171.896), Kevin Harvick (171.890), Kasey Kahne (171.848), Chase Elliott (171.734), Matt Kenseth (171.584), Kurt Busch (171.494) and Ryan Newman (171.363).
Among other notables, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 12th (171.118), Martin Truex Jr. was 18th (170.377), Jimmie Johnson was 21st (169.854) and Joey Logano was 23rd (169.549).
The final Cup practice will run this afternoon from 3:30 to 4:55 p.m. ET.