When the NASCAR Nationwide Series hit the asphalt on Daytona International Speedway for the first practice session of the day, it was Michael Waltrip who took command of the leader board.

With a fast lap of 48.52 seconds at a top speed of 185.491 miles per hour, Waltrip took the No. 99 Toyota to a level no one was able to match throughout the day.

Once NASCAR’s second level series took to the track again for their final practice session of the weekend, Roush Fenway driver David Ragan raced his way on top. Unable to beat the lap of Waltrip in the first session, Ragan’s lap of 49.281 seconds at a top speed of 182.626 miles per hour was good enough to land him on top in the series’ last practice.

Although it was not qualifying, ‘Front Row’ Joe Nemechek filled in the second spot in the closing practice with a lap of 49.315 seconds and a peak speed of 182.5 miles per hour.

Scott Wimmer took the Key Motorsports Chevrolet to the third spot, with Waltrip keeping his car in the top-5 with a fourth place effort.

Kevin Harvick was able to keep his car inside the top-10 during both practice sessions with a third place result in the opening session and a lap fast enough for sixth in the final session.

Rookie driver Michael Annett was one of the stars in the Nationwide Series’ practice runs. Annett was able to hold ground at the eighth spot right through both practice sessions, despite a slower time during the second go-around.

Qualifying for the Nationwide Series is scheduled for 1:05pm EST on Friday afternoon. Be sure to stay tuned to HardcoreRaceFans.com for the latest Nationwide Series updates from Daytona International Speedway.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS

FOR PRACTICE RESULTS CLICK HERE