FORT WORTH, Texas – A photographic look of the racing action on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. All photos courtesy of NASCAR, Getty Images and Texas Motor Speedway.
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER BOATS Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, signs an autograph during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, qualifies for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, qualifies for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, poses in Victory Lane with his crew after qualifying for pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, poses with the Henry repeating rifle pole award in Victory Lane after qualifying for pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jesus Apolinar of San Antonio, TX displays his Jeff Gordon tattoo honoring his late father during a press conference with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Leidos Ford, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Leidos Ford, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Bulwark/Oncor Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Damage of the #77 5-hour ENERGY Extra Strength Toyota is seen during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Leidos Ford, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Matt Tifft, driver of the #19 SiriusXM Toyota, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Brennan Poole, driver of the #48 DC Solar Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
William Byron, driver of the #9 Axalta/Priefert Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Team owner, Richard Petty, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Erik Jones, driver of the #77 5-hour ENERGY Extra Strength Toyota, during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Chris Buescher, driver of the #37 Scott Products Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Energy & Water Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
By Mike Haag