Gibbs paces tire failure riddled Cup Series practice at Kansas

Ty Gibbs set the fastest time in NASCAR Cup Series practice at Kansas Speedway but was one of multiple drivers to experience a tire failure.

Gibbs topped the board at 180.144mph (29.976s) before a left rear tire failure.

Michael McDowell was the second fastest in practice at 179.456mph. Alex Bowman was third at 179.378mph, Bubba Wallace fourth at 179.342mph and William Byron fifth at 179.319mph.

Tyler Reddick was sixth at 179.164mph, Josh Berry seventh at 178.861mph, Austin Cindric eighth at 178.660mph, Kyle Larson ninth at 178.642mph and Ross Chastain completed the top 10 at 178.577mph.

Larson is the defending winner at Kansas Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was also fastest in the best five, 10, and 15 lap averages. Byron, his teammate, was fastest in the 20-lap average.

Jesse Love was the 15th fastest in practice. Love is making another Cup Series start with Richard Childress Racing.

Denny Hamlin was 25th fastest, but he was the best in the 25-lap average.

Corey Heim, in a 23XI Racing entry, was 27th fastest.

Brad Keselowski, Shane van Gisbergen, and Chase Briscoe also experienced left rear tire failures. Zane Smith had a right rear tire blow, which resulted in hitting the Turn 4 wall.

There are 38 teams entered at Kansas Speedway for Sunday’s race.