LAS VEGAS — Story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Photo courtesy Team Lowes Racing —
Jimmie Johnson is proving he has the new low-downforce package for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series all figured out, at least so far.
After taking home a victory last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Johnson picked up right where he left off by posting the fastest time during Thursday’s first open test session at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, site of Sunday’s Kobalt 400 (3 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM).
The six-time Cup champion and 76-time race winner posted a time of 27.982 seconds (192.981 mph) to lead the way in the No. 48 Kobalt Chevrolet as he shoots for a record fifth win at the 1.5-mile oval near ‘Sin City’.
Behind Johnson were a pair of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas, driven by Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth, respectively.
Hamlin’s No. 11 FedEx Toyota shot up to second early in the morning behind Johnson and stayed there throughout the session, thanks to a time of 28.002 seconds (192.843 mph), while Kenseth ended up third overall after posting a lap of 28.105 seconds (192.137 mph) on his fourth lap around the track.
The Stewart Haas Racing duo of Brian Vickers (28.189/191.564) and Danica Patrick (28.241/191.211) rounded out the ‘Fast Five’.
Positions six through 10 on the speed charts were filled by Brad Keselowski, reigning Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch, rookie Ryan Blaney, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kurt Busch.
A second open test session takes place for Sprint Cup teams in Las Vegas from 2 to 5 p.m. ET (12 noon to 3 p.m. local time).
RESULTS: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Open Test No. 1; Las Vegas Motor Speedway; March 3, 2016
- Jimmie Johnson
- Denny Hamlin
- Matt Kenseth
- Brian Vickers
- Danica Patrick
- Brad Keselowski
- Kyle Busch
- Ryan Blaney
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Kurt Busch
- Joey Logano
- Kevin Harvick
- Kyle Larson
- Carl Edwards
- Austin Dillon
- A.J. Allmendinger
- Kasey Kahne
- Greg Biffle
- Ryan Newman
- Chase Elliott
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Paul Menard
- Casey Mears
- Chris Buescher
- Aric Almirola
- Trevor Bayne
- Jamie McMurray
- Brian Scott
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Regan Smith
- Landon Cassill
- Clint Bowyer
- Michael Annett
- Cole Whitt
- Matt DiBenedetto
- David Ragan
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Michael McDowell
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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