Denny Hamlin paced the NASCAR Cup Series field during Wednesday’s opening practice session at Daytona International Speedway, turning a lap of 187.480 mph in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. It’s the first of three scheduled practice sessions for Sunday’s 67th running of the Daytona 500.

Denny Hamlin led a trio of Toyota drivers — the manufacturer claimed five of the top six spots — in the opening practice for the Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin has won three of the past 15 Daytona 500s and was back-to-back winner in 2019 and 2020. Hamlin got a solid start Wednesday by leading the week’s first practice session. He will race all year under the cloud of an antitrust lawsuit his 23XI team and Front Row Motorsports filed against NASCAR.