Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin led the way in the first practice session of Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway, posting a fastest lap of 187.480 mph (48.005 seconds). The Joe Gibbs Racing driver headlined a Toyota-dominated session that saw the manufacturer secure four of the top six positions.

Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing slotted into second place, just 0.145 seconds behind his Toyota stablemate Hamlin, while Ty Gibbs rounded out the top three. In a surprising turn, open entry Chandler Smith impressed by posting the fourth-fastest time in his No. 66 Garage 66 (MBM Motorsports) Ford, benefiting from some late-session drafting practice. John Hunter Nemechek completed the top five in his LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota.

The 50-minute session saw teams pursuing various strategies, with some opting for limited single-car runs while others, particularly the Toyota contingent, engaged in draft practice toward the end. Notable open entry driver Helio Castroneves, making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Trackhouse Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet, showed promise by posting the 12th fastest time of the session.

Teams will return to the track tonight at 8:15 PM for single-car qualifying, which will lock in the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500. The remaining starting positions will be determined through Thursday night’s Duel races at 7:00 PM, where drivers will battle for position and open entries will fight for the four remaining spots in the Great American Race.