Johnson Third in New Hampshire Qualifying Practice

LOUDON, N.H. (July 19, 2002) -- Jimmie Johnson was third in today’s New England 300 pre-qualifying practice at New Hampshire International Speedway, posting a quick time of 28.897 seconds and a speed of 131.806 mph in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. Driving the No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo, defending NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon was second among the four Hendrick Motorsports teams on the Loudon, N.H., track, with a 29.036-second lap time and top speed of 131.175 mph, good for 10th overall. Joe Nemechek was eighth overall after his final practice lap in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevy, but slipped to 15th before the session concluded, with a fast time of 29.084 seconds and a 130.959-mph speed. In the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet, two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte posted the 21st-quickest lap of the day at 29.158 seconds and 130.626 mph. John Andretti was fastest in the two-hour practice at 28.795 seconds and 132.273 mph. New England 300 qualifying is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. EDT this afternoon at New Hampshire International Speedway.