Vickers Paces California ‘Happy Hour’

FONTANA, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2004) – GMAC Racing was atop the speed chart in Saturday’s final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series “Happy Hour” practice at California Speedway, as driver Brian Vickers posted a lap of 182.607 mph and 39.429 seconds. Vickers, the pole-sitter for Sunday’s Pop Secret 500, was tied for the top spot with Jeff Burton, who recorded an identical lap in his No. 30 Chevrolet. Terry Labonte and Kellogg’s Racing were 21st in the session, followed by Jimmie Johnson in 26th, Jeff Gordon in 31st and Kyle Busch in 35th. Vickers was also the quickest Hendrick Motorsports driver early on Saturday, chalking up the fifth-best lap in the first of two practices. He was clocked at 39.304 seconds and 183.187 mph. Johnson wasn’t far behind, nailing down the sixth spot in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy. Gordon was 19th in the No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo, with Labonte 35th. Busch, driver of the No. 84 CARQUEST Chevy, was 39th in the first session. The 19-year-old will start his third career NEXTEL Cup race on Sunday. Kevin Harvick was quickest in the early practice at 39.086 seconds and 184.209 mph.