Hendrick Teams Quick in Michigan Practices

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 21, 2004) – The teams of Hendrick Motorsports posted fast times in both NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practices at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. In the first of the day’s two sessions, Jimmie Johnson paced the field in his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, posting a speed of 188.487 mph around the two-mile oval. The El Cajon, Calif., native was followed by Brian Vickers in third, Jeff Gordon in 21st and Terry Labonte in 31st. Driving the No. 24 DuPont Chevy, Gordon was quickest among the Hendrick drivers in the final “Happy Hour” practice. He was clocked at 186.572 mph, which put him seventh on the speed chart. Vickers, in the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Monte Carlo, was 10th in the late session. Johnson was 15th, while Labonte nailed down 25th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s/Delphi Chevrolet. Elliott Sadler was quickest in Happy Hour at 187.539 mph. Scheduled for a 2 p.m. ET start, Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400 will be broadcast live by TNT and MRN Radio.