Johnson Leads HMS in New Hampshire Qualifying

LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 13, 2002) -- Jimmie Johnson was the fastest Hendrick Motorsports driver in New Hampshire 300 qualifying on Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway, posting the 19th-fastest time of the afternoon. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, the rookie ran a quick lap of 29.299 seconds and 129.998 mph. Defending NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon was 22nd in the No. 24 DuPont Chevy, Terry Labonte 31st in the No. 5 Kellogg’s Monte Carlo and Joe Nemechek 34th in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet. Ryan Newman is the pole-sitter for Sunday’s New Hampshire 300 after a qualifying lap of 28.802 seconds and 132.241 mph.