DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Seven-time has officially resumed operations.
Jimmie Johnsonhe’s back in vintage racing after two years of failings at IndyCar, topping the first practice session for the Daytona 500 on Friday.
The two-time Daytona 500 champion and seven-time Cup Series champion hit a top speed of 194.25 mph around the 2½-mile superhighway. He surpassed fellow Chevrolet drivers Chasing Elliott — his former teammate at Hendrick Motorsports — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and pole keeper Alex Bowmanracer replaced Johnson when he left NASCAR after the 2020 season, to create a fun moment for the bow.
This is Johnson’s first long stint behind the wheel in a Next Generation vehicle at the Daytona International Freeway. He took part in a one-day workout in Phoenix last month.
“Honestly, I think it’s too early to get into this. It’s disc racing, and it’s just a training session,” Johnson said. .
“Anything can happen. But I’m happy to be here, I’m glad we’re at the top of the table and not at the bottom. I’m sure the headlines would read a little bit differently if we did. on the other end of it.”
Johnson returned to NASCAR in November as a part owner of what is now known as the Legacy Motor Club, an organization that started as Petty Enterprises nearly 75 years ago. So far, he’s been a racer taking part in the Daytona 500 — Johnson will start in 39th on Sunday — the Chicago street race in July and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the event. NASCAR’s Garage 56 project.
How does the new car feel?
“It drives like a vintage car,” he quips. “It doesn’t drive like an IndyCar, thank God. We know how that goes.”
Johnson has driven 48th his entire career but will be behind the wheel of 84th when he competes at NASCAR this year.
Aric Almirola And Joey Logano, both winners of Thursday night’s qualifying races, led a fleet of Ford drivers behind the Chevy leads. Almirola and Logano are fifth and sixth, followed by Ryan Blaney, Chasing Briscoe, Kevin Harvic, Zane Smith, Chris Buescher And Harrison Burton.
Martin Truex Jr. was the fastest Toyota driver in 17th place.
The quick lap capped a big day for Johnson, who had previously flown with the Air Force Thunderbirds before turning 34 laps in an hour-long practice session. He fainted in the jet but wasn’t sick.
“Never felt anything like it, stimulated, accelerated,” he said.
Thirty-seven of the 40 riders turned at least one lap during Friday night practice. Teammate Kaulig Racing AJ Allmendinger And Justin Haley sit out with Riley herbs by Rick Ware Racing.
There’s one more practice session for the 65th lap of the “Great American Race” and some riders are expected to skip the final race because they don’t want to risk any damage before season begins.
