Johnson, Nemechek Earn Top-15 Starts at Atlanta

HAMPTON, Ga. (March 7, 2003) – Jimmie Johnson led Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR Winston Cup Series qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, posting the 11th-fastest time on the 1.54-mile race track. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Johnson was clocked at 189.623 mph. He was followed closely by teammate Joe Nemechek, who nabbed the 13th slot with a 189.286-mph lap in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Monte Carlo. Four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon will start 30th in the No. 24 DuPont Chevy, with Terry Labonte 40th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s / got milk? Chevrolet. Ryan Newman paced the field with a 191.417-mph speed in the No. 12 entry, followed by Bill Elliott in second and Bobby Labonte in third.