Atlanta Qualifying Washed Out, Nemechek Quick

HAMPTON, Ga. (Oct. 25, 2002) -- Inclement weather canceled Winston Cup and Busch Series qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, forcing NASCAR to set Sunday’s NAPA 500 starting grid by owner points. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson will start second, with Jeff Gordon seventh in the No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo, two-time champion Terry Labonte 23rd in the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevy and Joe Nemechek 36th in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet. In the day’s only on-track action, Nemechek led all Hendrick Motorsports teams in Winston Cup pre-qualifying practice, posting the 18th-quickest time on the 1.54-mile oval. Johnson was 21st in the rain-shortened session, with Labonte 22nd and Gordon 32nd. Bill Elliott was fastest, followed by pole-sitter Tony Stewart and former Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett.