Dale Earnhardt Jr, left, signs autographs before practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still out front at Daytona International Speedway.
A day after winning the first of two qualifying races for the Daytona 500, Earnhardt topped the speed chart during practice Friday.
Earnhardt averaged 194.405 mph on one of his 24 laps during the second of two sessions Friday. He also posted the best 10-lap average, which is considered one of the better indicators of true speed at superspeedways.
Earnhardt and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kasey Kahne (193.528), Jimmie Johnson (193.096) and Jeff Gordon (193.079) were the only drivers to top 193 mph.
Danica Patrick was the fifth fastest on the day, but she broke a water line in the second session and spent time in the garage. It shouldn't be an issue for Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500.
Ten cars opted not to practice Friday, including defending Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick and former champs Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.
Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, JJ Yeley, Reed Sorenson, Mike Wallace, Johnny Sauter and Michael McDowell also failed to turn a lap in either session.
Jeff Gordon sits in his car during practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Associated Press
Jeff Gordon signs autographs for fans during practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Darryl Graham)
The Associated Press
Danica Patrick talks with crew members in her garage during a practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press
Danica Patrick signs autographs as she leaves her garage after a practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press