Nelson Piquet Jr. leads practice for Pocono Mountains 125

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Nelson Piquet Jr. led the first and final practice for the Pocono Mountains 125, driving the No. 30 Autotrac Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports.

Piquet Jr. had a lap time of 53.688 seconds at a speed of 167.635 mph. Drivers Ty Dillon, Matt Crafton, Miguel Paludo and Joey Coulter round out the top five in practice. Series points leader Timothy Peters was seventh in practice.

James Buescher took home the win in the series’ last event at Chicago on July 21 - Peters finished the race in third. Piquet Jr. was involved in an accident that caused him to finish 26th after starting 12th.

Heading into Saturday’s race the current top five in the standings include Peters, Dillon, Justin Lofton, Buescher and Parker Kligerman.

Competing on the repaved surface for the very first time, the Truck Series’ drivers will not only have to learn to adjust to the new track, but they will also compete against “visitor” Denny Hamlin, who will drive the No. 18 truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Four of Hamlin’s 19 career wins in the Sprint Cup Series have come at Pocono.

Sprint Cup Series regular Brad Keselowski was scheduled to drive in the Pocono Mountains 125, but is shown as withdrawn on the most current entry list. David Starr has also withdrawn while drivers Sean Corr and Kyle Martel will make their first series starts. Corr will drive the No. 82 Leonard Bus/American Heroes Racing/Roush-Yates Ford. Martel will be driving the No. 59 PBCC/Hanover/Finish Line Chevrolet for Martel Racing.

As far as stats go, Piquet Jr. finished 14th after starting third in last year's race at Pocono. Series points leader Peters finished 10th.



Nelson Piquet Jr. leads practice for Pocono Mountains 125 Nelson Piquet Jr. leads practice for Pocono Mountains 125 Reviewed by Unknown on Friday, August 03, 2012 Rating: 5