Johnson Fast in Saturday Practice at Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. (March 15, 2003) – Jimmie Johnson led all Hendrick Motorsports drivers in Saturday’s early practice at Darlington Raceway, posting the second-quickest time of the session. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy, Johnson toured the 1.366-mile oval at 166.710 mph (29.498 seconds) on the 11th of his 39 laps. Joe Nemechek was seventh in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Monte Carlo, followed by Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, in 10th overall. Two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte was 38th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s / got milk? Chevy with a 162.942-mph lap. Jerry Nadeau, with a Hendrick Motorsports engine under the hood of his No. 01, paced the practice at 166.721 mph (29.496 seconds). The final “Happy Hour” practice session before Sunday’s Winston Cup event at Darlington is scheduled for Saturday at 11:10 a.m. EST.