Cindric, Smith top NASCAR Xfinity, NASCAR Truck practice at COTA
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 22 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Zane Smith, driver of the No. 21 MRC Construction Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series both topped all drivers in their respective classes during practice Friday at Circuit of the Americas.
Austin Cindric, driver of the #22 Menards/Richmond Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of The Americas on May 21, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Cindric topped the charts with a time of 137.778, 89.100 mph. while Smith posted a fast time of 137.395, 89.348 mph.
Both clases will qualify and race on Saturday. NCWTS qualifying begins at 9:05 a.m. and NXS qualifying is set for 11:05 a.m.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Pit Boss 250 will begin at 1 p.m. The race will be 41 laps, 139.81 miles.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Toyota Tundra 225 is set for 4 p.m. and will consist of 46 laps, 156 miles.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Daniel Hemric, driver of the No. 18 Poppy Bank Toyota, was second fastest at 137.845, 89.057 mph. Rounding out the top 10 were Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, AJ Allmendinger, Noah Gragson, Alex Labbe, Justin Allgaier, Jeb Burton and Myatt Snider.
Zane Smith, driver of the #21 MRC Construction Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra 225 at Circuit of The Americas on May 21, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Friday’s practice chart: 22111_PRACFINAL
In the NASCAR Truck Series, Sheldon Creed, driver of the No. 2 GMS Racing Chevrolet was second fastest at 137.735, 89.128 mph. Rounding out the top 10 were Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Todd Gilliland, Kaz Grala, Matt Crafton, Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer and John Hunter Nemechek.
Friday’s practice chart: 32109_PRACFINAL
NASCAR Trucks Photo gallery:
Interviews:
NASCAR Xfinity Series Post-Practice: Tyler Reddick (No. 31 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet), Austin Cindric (No. 22 Team Penske Ford), Daniel Hemric (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Post-Practice: Zane Smith (No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet), Ben Rhodes (No. 99 ThorSport Racing Toyota), Todd Gilliland (No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford), Hailie Deegan (No. 1 Team DGR Ford)
