Johnson Leads Hendrick in Daytona 'Happy Hour'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2004) – Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe’s Racing paced Hendrick Motorsports in the final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. Putting 41 laps on his No. 48 Chevrolet, Johnson posted the fourth-best speed of the “Happy Hour” session, the last practice before Sunday’s Daytona 500, at 191.563 mph (46.982 seconds). Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Vickers was 29th in the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevy, followed by Jeff Gordon, 31st, in the No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo. Terry Labonte, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevy, was one spot behind Gordon in 32nd overall. Dave Blaney was on top of the speed chart in the session at 191.975 mph (46.881 seconds). The morning’s first scheduled practice was canceled due to inclement weather.