VENTURA, Calif. – Jesse Colwell was the fastest man in town during practice for the 79th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix on Wednesday at Ventura Raceway.

Colwell, who made his USAC debut a year ago at Turkey Night just weeks after earning a ride with Keith Kunz through the KKM Giveback Classic, toured the fifth-mile beachside oval in 12.912 seconds (55.762 mph) to lead 59 cars that attempted a lap on Wednesday night.

USAC Western States Midget Series point leader Robert Dalby was second-quick at 12.919 seconds (55.732 mph), followed by outgoing series champion Logan Seavey in third.

NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Larson – who has won the last two USAC National Midget Series events at Placerville Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway, respectively – and Jason McDougal completed the fast five.

Jerry Coons Jr. was sixth, ahead of Aaron Reutzel, Dillon Welch, event rookie Carson Sousa and Rico Abreu.

Thursday’s schedule is intended to kick off with on-track activity at 3:15 p.m. PT, however rain is in the forecast and a contingency plan of running the entire program on Friday is in play if necessary.

PRACTICE RESULTS: NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series; Ventura Raceway; Nov. 27, 2019

Practice (best of three sessions): 1. Jesse Colwell, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.912; 2. Robert Dalby, 4D, Dalby-12.919; 3. Logan Seavey, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-12.933; 4. Kyle Larson, 1K, Larson-12.994; 5. Jason McDougal, 71m, FMR-13.067; 6. Jerry Coons, Jr., 25, Petry-13.115; 7. Aaron Reutzel, 87, Tucker/Boat-13.141; 8. Dillon Welch, 81, Tucker/Boat-13.142; 9. Carson Sousa, 01, Dalby-13.163; 10. Rico Abreu, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.176; 11. Thomas Meseraull, 7x, RMS-13.228; 12. Kaidon Brown, 97w, Wood-13.231; 13. Andrew Layser, 47BC, Clauson/Marshall-13.232; 14. Spencer Bayston, 19, Hayward-13.245; 15. Ronnie Gardner, 68, Six8-13.250; 16. Gio Scelzi, 84, Tucker/Boat-13.251; 17. Carson Macedo, 21, Tarlton-13.253; 18. Shane Golobic, 17w, Wood-13.280; 19. Damion Gardner, 4, Klatt-13.301; 20. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 5, Petry-13.312; 21. Ethan Mitchell, 08m, Dave Mac-13.318; 22. Chase Johnson, 25x, Malloy-13.323; 23. Daison Pursley, 98, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.323; 24. Justin Grant, 4A, RAMS-13.345; 25. Colby Copeland, 27w, Wood-13.363; 26. Buddy Kofoid, 97K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.377; 27. Zeb Wise, 39BC, Clauson/Marshall-13.377; 28. Tanner Carrick, 71K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.394; 29. Ryan Bernal, 77w, Wood-13.395; 30. Chris Windom, 17BC, Clauson/Marshall-13.427; 31. Cory Elliott, 11E, Elliott-13.438; 32. Austin Liggett, 83, Liggett-13.454; 33. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., 17JR, Clauson/Marshall-13.456; 34. Jake Bubak, 27B, Bourke-13.474; 35. Holley Hollan, 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.493; 36. Tucker Klaasmeyer, 27, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-13.508; 37. Maria Cofer, 71s, Campbell-13.523; 38. Karsyn Elledge, 1, Tucker/Boat-13.535; 39. C.J. Sarna, 20, Sarna-13.536; 40. Cannon McIntosh, 08, Dave Mac-13.566; 41. Brady Bacon, 73T, Ford-13.669; 42. Daniel Robinson, 57D, McCreery-13.683; 43. Kyle Beilman, 31B, Beilman-13.683; 44. Dylan Ito, 73, Ford-13.696; 45. C.J. Leary, 13, Gile-13.702; 46. Troy Rutherford, F5, Simmons-13.714; 47. Robby Josett, 73x, Ford-13.827; 48. Chris Sheil, 91, Mason-13.831; 49. Carson Garrett, 15x, Garrett-13.844; 50. Bryan Drollinger, 71D, Drollinger-13.931; 51. Chad Frewaldt, 4F, Frewaldt-13.952; 52. Emilio Hoover, 9H, Hoover-13.962; 53. Mark Chisholm, 56x, Chisholm-13.972; 54. Jake Morgan, 45, Morgan-13.977; 55. Nick Drake, 7R, Ruston-14.071; 56. Casey Hicks, 5H, Hicks-14.081; 57. Alex Grigroeas, 1x, LKK-14.084; 58. Jessie Finkenbinder, 3F, Finkenbinder-14.907; 59. David Prickett, 15DJ, Neverlift-NT.