Ryan Newman: Leads Darlington Happy Hour

Newman was fastest in Happy Hour practice for the Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway Friday afternoon. He turned a fast lap of 171.698 mph.

Analysis:

Newman improved on his first practice, and climbed to the top of the scoring pylon with his fast lap in this final session. The Richard Childress Racing veteran beat out Chase Elliott for the fastest lap of Happy Hour. Newman has great career stats at this challenging oval, and appears poised to crack the Top 10 in Sunday night's Bojangles' Southern 500.