Las Vegas, NV (Betting Express) - Las Vegas native Kyle Busch led all drivers on the first day of testing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The No.18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver posted a best speed of 183.580 m.p.h. (29.415 seconds) to edge out teammate Tony Stewart (182.426 m.p.h. - 29.601 seconds).

Busch has had a strong start in his first season with JGR after coming over from Hendrick Motorsports. He led an Atlanta test last October and was also fastest in the first Daytona test of the new year.

"I've got a great bunch of guys with Joe Gibbs Racing and the Toyota power underneath the hood," Busch said. "It's important for us to come out here and look good, and ultimately make Joe and J.D. (Gibbs) look good for picking me.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was eighth fastest on the day.

"I'm having fun testing, doing work," Earnhardt Jr. said. "The guys have been preparing for the season, getting the shop and the cars ready. It's good to be here testing. It feels good to be working, driving the car, talking, giving input, being an asset."

There were a couple of on-track incidents including wrecks by 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti, Sam Hornish Jr. and David Ragan.

Testing continues Tuesday at LVMS before the series moves to the California Speedway for two more days of work.