Hamlin leads first Cup practice; Hendrick drivers dominate top five
By SceneDaily Staff
Friday, March 28, 2008
Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin paced the first Sprint Cup practice at Martinsville Speedway.
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Much talk this year has focused on the rest of the Sprint Cup garage catching up to – and perhaps surpassing – Hendrick Motorsports and its elite drivers.
Hold that thought.
Hendrick took three of the five fastest times in the first Sprint Cup practice for the Goody's Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Friday morning, a practice led by Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin (95.338 mph).
Two-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson – who has won the last three Martinsville races – was second-fastest with a speed of 95.276 mph.
Teammates Jeff Gordon (fourth) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (fifth) also had strong showings, while Chip Ganassi Racing's Reed Sorenson was third on the speed charts.
The rest of the top 10 contained some surprises.
Bill Davis Racing's Dave Blaney – who is outside the top 35 in owner points – was sixth, followed closely by Haas CNC Racing's Scott Riggs.
Yates Racing's Travis Kvapil was seventh, followed by former Martinsville winner Kurt Busch (Penske Racing) and second-year driver David Ragan (Roush Fenway Racing).
Ragan hit the wall during practice but will not require a backup car. There were no other incidents.
In a story that will be closely watched this weekend, Roush Fenway's Jamie McMurray will attempt to make the field on time after he fell out of the top 35 at Bristol. He was 11th-fastest in practice.
Ken Schrader of BAM Racing was another surprise, recording the 12th-fastest time.
