Danica Patrick fastest in Daytona qualifying practice

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Danica Patrick has a fast car at Daytona International Speedway — and she just may have the fastest.

Patrick notched a lap of 196.220 mph in the first official Sprint Cup Series practice of the season on Saturday. She posted the speed in the day’s second session, focused on Sunday’s qualifying for the Daytona 500.

“So far, so good at Daytona,” Patrick said before heading out for her second turn. “This is a testament to how consistent the car is. It’d be really, really great to get the car on the pole.”

Teammate and team owner Tony Stewart was second quickest, posting a lap of 195.363 mph.

Kyle Busch was third, Dale Earnhardt Jr. fourth and Jamie McMurray fifth.

Chevrolet appears quick out of the gate in the new Gen 6 model. Eight of the first 12 slots went to Chevy.