Almirola fastest in final Cup practice

Aric Almirola led Sprint Cup practice at Daytona International Speedway Wednesday afternoon in a session that featured a wreck involving Jamie McMurray and Michael Waltrip.

Almirola, driving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Chevrolet, turned a drafting speed lap of 191.436 mph to edge Matt Kenseth at 191.347 and Jeff Gordon at 191.335.

It was the final practice session before tomorrow’s Gatorade Duel qualifying races, which will set most of the field for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Both McMurray and Waltrip will have to use their backup cars to compete in the qualifying races.

Rounding out the top 10 were: Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Robby Gordon’s No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Toyota; Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Reed Sorenson’s No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge; Marcos Ambrose’s No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota; Regan Smith’s No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet and Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Waltrip lost control of his No. 55 Toyota when Kasey Kahne appeared to check up in front of him. Waltrip was hit from behind by David Stremme and collected McMurray, who spun through the frontstretch grass with Waltrip.