DOVER, Del. — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images North America photo —

The king is back on his throne in Dover, Delaware.

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR’s all-time wins leader at the track nicknamed the “Monster Mile”, paced the opening Cup practice session on Friday for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks (1 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1).

The driver of the No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet clocked a best lap of 21.969 seconds (163.867 mph) as he begins his search for a 10th career Dover International Speedway victory.

Should he win on Sunday, Johnson will become the fifth driver in NASCAR history with 10 or more wins at a single race track. NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (Martinsville, 15; North Wilkesboro, 15; Richmond, 13; Rockingham, 11; and Daytona, 10;), Darrell Waltrip (Bristol, 12; Martinsville, 11; and North Wilkesboro, 10;), Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (Talladega, 10); and David Pearson (Darlington, 10) have all accomplished the feat in past history.

Johnson’s lap was a shade off of the Dover track record (21.892 seconds/164.444 mph) set by Brad Keselowski in qualifying last May.

Following Johnson on the speed charts was the driver piloting the machine with this week’s event’s sponsor onboard. Denny Hamlin, at the wheel of the No. 11 FedEx Cares Toyota, logged a lap of 22.014 seconds (163.532 mph) as he searches for his second points-paying victory of the 2015 season after his win in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race two weeks ago.

Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third-fastest (22.022/163.473), followed by another pair of Toyota drivers in David Ragan (22.040/163.339) and Kyle Busch (22.112/162.808), in just his second points race back from injuries suffered in a NASCAR XFINITY Series crash at Daytona International Speedway in February.

In fact, counting Clint Bowyer (6th) and Carl Edwards (7th), Toyota drivers claimed five of the top seven spots in the first practice session.

Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick was eighth in his No. 4 ditech Chevrolet, after only being able to post a top speed of 162.587 mph.

Greg Biffle was the highest ranking Ford driver in 12th, while Keselowski found himself all the way back in 27th on the pylon.

Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the 13th race of the season is scheduled Friday at 3:45 p.m. Eastern, live on FOX Sports 1. Two practice sessions on Saturday will mark the final tune-ups before Sunday’s event. Those will air from 10-10:55 a.m. Eastern and 1-1:55 p.m. Eastern on FS1.

RESULTS: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; Practice 1; Dover International Speedway; May 29, 2015

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. David Ragan
5. Kyle Busch
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Carl Edwards
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Kurt Busch
10. Martin Truex Jr.
11. Brian Scott
12. Greg Biffle
13. Kyle Larson
14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
15. Austin Dillon
16. Kasey Kahne
17. Jeff Gordon
18. Aric Almirola
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Matt Kenseth
21. Sam Hornish Jr.
22. Joey Logano
23. Casey Mears
24. Tony Stewart
25. A.J. Allmendinger
26. Paul Menard
27. Brad Keselowski
28. Ryan Newman
29. Alex Bowman
30. Justin Allgaier
31. Danica Patrick
32. Jeb Burton
33. Trevor Bayne
34. Cole Whitt
35. Michael Annett
36. Matt DiBenedetto
37. Josh Wise
38. David Gilliland
39. Brett Moffitt
40. Landon Cassill
41. Travis Kvapil
42. Brendan Gaughan
43. J.J. Yeley
44. Jeff Green
45. Mike Bliss