J.J. Yeley sits in his car before practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The final practice before the Daytona 500 qualifying races was free of chaos.
Of course, only five cars turned laps during the 1-hour, 25-minute practice session Thursday.
Kyle Larson, Cole Whitt, Michael Annett, JJ Yeley and Jeb Burton were the only drivers to get on the track. Larson, Annett and Burton were all involved in a wreck in practice Wednesday, the one started by Denny Hamlin and Danica Patrick.
With temperatures expected to dip into the 30s for the twin qualifying races Thursday night, the track should have plenty of grip, so teams likely figured there could be nothing gained from getting out earlier in the day. And since there were several crashes in earlier practices, the risk was greater than the reward at this point in Speedweeks.
Jeb Burton looks out from the garage before practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press
Kyle Larson watches his crew work on his car before practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Associated Press
Crew members work on Danica Patrick's car during practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press
Reed Sorenson, right, stands by as crew members work on his car during practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press
Jeb Burton looks on as his car is inspected before practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Associated Press