Wallace leads Toyota teammates in Cup practice at Martinsville

Bubba Wallace was fastest in Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway over Toyota teammates Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin.

Wallace quickly went to the top of the leaderboard once on track, setting the pace at 94.139mph (20.11s). Bell was second at 93.87mph (20.17s) and Hamlin third at 93.82mph (20.18s).

The tight leaderboard continued with Carson Hocevar fourth fastest at 93.757mph (20.19s) and Cole Custer fifth at 93.743mph (20.20s). Kyle Larson was sixth at 93.724mph (20.20s).

William Byron ran seventh at 93.719mph (20.20s), Ryan Preece eighth at 93.604mph (20.23s), Shane van Gisbergen ninth at 93.576mph (20.23s) and Chase Elliott 10th at 93.543mph (20.24s).

Byron, the points leader, is the defending race winner at Martinsville. Hendrick Motorsports has also won the last three spring races at the track.

Ty Gibbs was 11th fastest, Kyle Busch 12th, Brad Keselowski 15th, Chase Briscoe 19th, Joey Logano 20th, Alex Bowman 22nd and Ryan Blaney, winner of the last two Martinsville fall races, 25th.

One brief stoppage occurred during the session — there was no crash or cleanup required but, instead, Justin Haley’s hood flew up and covered his windshield. Fortunately, he was able to safely slow the car and get back to his team on pit road without issue.

There are 38 teams entered at Martinsville Speedway. In addition to the 36 charter teams, Casey Mears is behind the wheel for Garage 66 and Burt Myers is piloting the Team Amerivet entry.

Wallace was also quickest in the best 10 consecutive lap average. He outpaced Gibbs, Byron, Custer, Busch, Hamlin, and Logano.