Race Weekend Central

Jimmie Johnson Fastest in 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 Happy Hour at Martinsville

Did you count Jimmie Johnson out at Martinsville Speedway after an uncharacteristically slow start to the weekend at Martinsville Speedway? Not so fast.

Johnson, who is tied among active drivers for the most Martinsville wins with eight, posted the fastest speed in the final practice session of the weekend, under what will be the closest weather conditions to tomorrow’s Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. Johnson’s lap of 97.108 mph was good enough for the top spot over Kevin Harvick, who posted a speed of 96.721. Also posting top-five speeds were Brad Keselowski, Paul Menard and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt was fastest in the morning session.

Casey Mears, polesitter Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and Jamie McMurray rounded out the top 10.

Tony Stewart posted a 16th-place time in his backup car after a crash in the morning practice. Kasey Kahne, also in a backup after a qualifying crash, was 23rd.

Chase drivers not in the top 10 included Jeff Gordon (12th), Kurt Busch (19th), Carl Edwards (21st) and Kyle Busch (26th).

2015 GOODY’S HEADACHE RELIEF SHOT 500 FINAL PRACTICE SPEEDS

About the author

Amy is an 20-year veteran NASCAR writer and a six-time National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) writing award winner, including first place awards for both columns and race coverage. As well as serving as Photo Editor, Amy writes The Big 6 (Mondays) after every NASCAR Cup Series race. She can also be found working on her bi-weekly columns Holding A Pretty Wheel (Tuesdays) and Only Yesterday (Wednesdays). A New Hampshire native whose heart is in North Carolina, Amy’s work credits have extended everywhere from driver Kenny Wallace’s website to Athlon Sports. She can also be heard weekly as a panelist on the Hard Left Turn podcast that can be found on AccessWDUN.com's Around the Track page.

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