Johnson, Vickers Fast in Vegas ‘Happy Hour’

LAS VEGAS (March 6, 2004) – Jimmie Johnson and Brian Vickers led Hendrick Motorsports in the final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series “Happy Hour” practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, finishing seventh and ninth respectively on the speed chart. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Johnson was clocked at 169.041 mph (31.945 seconds), while Vickers was a tick back at 168.951 mph (31.962 seconds) in the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevy. Terry Labonte was 19th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s Monte Carlo, followed by Kyle Busch in 27th and Jeff Gordon in 33rd. Elliott Sadler paced the session at 169.598 mph (31.840 seconds). Johnson was second overall in the morning session -- the first of two on the day -- at 170.261 mph (31.716 seconds). Vickers was seventh, with Labonte eighth and Busch 16th in the No. 84 CARQUEST Chevrolet. Gordon finished the session 39th in the No. 24 DuPont Chevy after losing an engine with about 10 minutes remaining. He was forced to a backup motor and will start at the rear of the field for Sunday’s 400-mile event (3 p.m. ET on FOX and PRN). Rusty Wallace was quickest in Saturday’s first practice at 170.369 mph (31.696 seconds).