Johnson Paces Wednesday’s Early Practice

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2003) – Team Lowe’s Racing and driver Jimmie Johnson paced Wednesday’s early NASCAR Winston Cup Series practice at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, posting a lap of 189.422 mph. Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet was followed by Jeff Gordon in 13th, Joe Nemechek in 35th, Terry Labonte in 43rd and David Green in 45th. Green, driver of the No. 60 HAAS Automation Chevy, was the quickest Hendrick Motorsports driver in Wednesday’s final practice at 188.225 mph, putting him 13th overall. Driving the No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo, Gordon was 18th, with Labonte 25th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s / got milk? Chevrolet and Johnson 27th. Nemechek parked his No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevy in the late session, electing not to participate. Ricky Rudd led the “Happy Hour” practice at 190.166 mph. Wednesday’s practices marked the final on-track action for the Winston Cup teams before Thursday’s Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying races for the Daytona 500 on Sunday.