Nemechek Leads HMS in Pocono Happy Hour

POCONO, Pa. (July 26, 2003) – Joe Nemechek led Hendrick Motorsports in the final “Happy Hour” practice at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, posting the 10th-best time on the race track in preparation for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. Driving the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevy, Nemechek was clocked at 163.630 mph. He was followed by teammates Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte and Jeff Gordon in 19th, 23rd and 33rd, respectively. Nemechek was also the quickest of the four HMS drivers in Saturday’s first practice at 164.959 mph -- the fourth-best time of the session. Johnson was sixth, followed by Jeff Gordon in eighth and Terry Labonte in 30th. Tony Stewart was quickest in the first practice (165.896 mph), with Ryan Newman pacing Happy Hour (164.438 mph). Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500 is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET start.