February 15, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

Getting up to speed for the Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Michael McDowell ended first practice at Daytona International Speedway where he left off last February—atop the scoring pylon.

McDowell posted the top time of 46.696-seconds (192.736 mph) while drafting with a pack of Fords including his former teammate David Ragan (46.713-seconds), Todd Gilliland, Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher.

McDowell completed 25 laps in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford during the first practice session on the 2.5-mile track.

“We don't want to get too crazy of a pack, but wanted to get up to speed, at least know how far the cars travel and what we need to do.

“So proud of everybody at Front Row Motorsports. It’s been a crazy offseason getting this Next Gen car ready, but it feels good coming back to Daytona and hopefully being able to defend our Daytona 500 victory.”

Ryan Blaney captured quick time in the second practice with a lap of 192.587 mph. His teammate Joey Logano posted the second-fastest lap (192.135 mph) followed by Cole Custer, Cody Ware and Chris Buescher. Fords held the top-10 spots in the second session.

The Toyota contingent was second quick on the speed chart in first practice with Martin Truex Jr. leading the Camrys with a time of 47.083-seconds (191.184 mph). Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch brought up the rear. The two-time champion used the 50-minute session to acclimate to the new car.

“They’re different in the air,” Kyle Busch said. “They’re different with the way they’re in line and push and how much suck up you get from the cars in front of you versus having no one behind you or someone behind you.”

“There wasn’t much to learn. It’s going to take 20 to 25 of us to get a really good sense of what really happens and we won’t see that until we get to the Duels (qualifying races).”

Chase Elliott was the fastest of the Chevrolets. The driver of the No. 9 Camaro posted a lap of 47.114-seconds (191.026 mph). Elliott was followed by his Hendrick teammates Alex Bowman and current Cup champion Kyle Larson.

Greg Biffle returned to the Cup Series after a five-year hiatus behind the wheel of the No. 44 NY Racing Chevrolet sponsored by Grambling State University/HBCU League Pass Plus.

“I've been talking to John (team owner, Cohen) for a couple of years now,” Biffle said. “I told him if he gets a program put together I'll come help you. And here we are, so I'm glad to be back.”

Although the 52-year-old racer ran a couple of one-offs in the Camping World Truck Series—and actually won with Kyle Busch Motorsports at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019—he hasn’t raced a Cup car at Daytona since 2016. He was 17th-quick in the first session.

“We're just looking for some speed now,” Biffle said. “We only had about 10 minutes of practice at the end there, so we didn't get any clean runs. We're trying to compare ourselves to the six guys we’re racing to try and get into the show.

“The car drives good. We’re just looking for some speed.”