Practice times predict little at the drafting tracks, Talladega and Daytona.
Some drivers scrupulously avoid drafts in practice to get a better read on solo speed.
Others get caught in drafts in spite of themselves. The time clock knows no difference. Mark Martin was second-fastest with an encouraging run in 51.789sec, with Sterling Marlin third in a Dodge, Kevin Harvick fourth in a Chevrolet, and Dale Jarrett fifth in a Ford. Andy Houston, Craven's teammate in Cal Wells' stable, was sixth. Others showing top-10 single laps were Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte and Rusty Wallace.