HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 05: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Toyota, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

This manufacturer dominated practice prior to the first Cup playoff race


Advertisement

It should come as no surprise to racing fans that Toyotas were fastest cars during practice for the first Cup playoff race at Chicagoland.

Toyotas have been the fastest cars all season, and that trend continued during practice on Friday. The first four spots were taken by Toyotas, and Kyle Busch led the pack with a lap of 184.143 mph. Daniel Suarez, who didn't qualify for the playoffs, was second with a time of 183.418.

Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., who both drive Toyotas, were third and fourth with speeds of 182.921 and 182.859, respectively.

Related: Toyota teams mock Brad Keselowski after he makes explosive allegation

Advertisement

Kevin Harvick had the fastest non-Toyota as his Ford had a speed of 182.642. Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Danica Patrick, Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski were after Harvick.

Keselowski has complained about the speed of the Toyotas recently, and he had more to say on the topic after practice.

The Toyota speed has been evident this season as Truex and Busch have combined for more stage wins than the rest of the field combined.

Truex and Busch are two of the favorites to win the championship this fall, while Kyle Larson is also expected to be in the mix. The fastest car doesn't always translate to a victory, but it's usually a pretty good indicator of who's going to win or compete for the championship.

Advertisement

Truex won at Chicagoland last year, while Hamlin won the previous year.

(h/t NBC Sports)