Gibbs sets the pace at NASCAR Cup Series practice in Bristol

Ty Gibbs set a speed of 124.719 mph (15.385 seconds) during NASCAR Cup Series practice on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Gibbs ran 94 laps in practice, leading a group of Cup Series playoff contenders who were in the top 10 during the session.

Ryan Blaney was second fastest at 124.018 mph and Kyle Larson was third at 123.897 mph. William Byron was fourth fastest at 123.897 mph and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five at 123.833 mph.

Bubba Wallace was the first non-playoff driver on the speed chart. Wallace was sixth fastest at 123.698 mph. Christopher Bell (123.507 mph), Chase Briscoe (123.499 mph) and Alex Bowman (123.475 mph) were seventh, eighth and ninth fastest. Carson Hocevar, a non-playoff driver, rounded out the top 10 (123.411 mph).

The remaining playoff drivers in practice were Joey Logano (11th), Martin Truex Jr. (15th), Austin Cindric (19th), Brad Keselowski (20th), Harrison Burton (21st), Denny Hamlin (24th), Tyler Reddick (30th) and Daniel Suarez (36th).

Hamlin is the defending champion of the Bristol night race. He has won the last two consecutive Cup Series races at Bristol.

There were no problems in training. The race was interrupted once because of debris.

William Byron and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ran the most laps in training (111).

Ryan Blaney posted the best 10-round average. Blaney beat Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace, Carson Hocevar and Harrison Burton.