Jimmie Johnson hit the wall early in practice Friday at Darlington and will go to a backup car.
"I hit the wall in turn 1,'' Johnson said. "We worked hard over the night to make some gains and we ran two of the fastest laps, those two laps, and, unfortunately, I crashed on my third (lap). But we're very optimistic about the gains we've made, and I'm still trying to understand why we lost it. I lost it early on the straightaway before the corner, so something happened up on the straightaway.''
2:55 p.m. UPDATE
JOHNSON WRECKS AGAIN
Johnson got loose out of turn 4, nearly caught and then went into a long slide down the frontstretch, tapping the wall with the left front and knocking the splitter off. This was in the backup car.
WHAT SOME DRIVERS ARE SAYING:
KYLE BUSCH
Q: Your impressions of people comparing you to Dale Earnhardt
BUSCH: At least it's not me doing the comparing, it's everybody else. It's flattering, I guess. It's just not what I'm out there concentrating on being. I'm out there concentrating on being Kyle Busch and trying to make sure that I can go out there and compete for wins and win races and compete for championships and try to win championships. Until I get further up those ladders then to me it's just comparisons.
Q: Your thoughts changed at all on last weekend's Richmond incident with Dale Jr?
BUSCH: No. It's pretty much the same thing, just hard racing. Two guys going after it in the final laps of a race and us two just getting together.
Q: What kind of backlash have you gotten from the incident?
BUSCH: I really don't know, and I really don't care.
CLINT BOWYER
Q: What are your thoughts that more attention has been paid to the end of the Richmond race instead of your win?
BOWYER: I know where the trophy went, and I know where the money went. That is all I care about. You guys can write whatever you want (laughing).
Q: What the Richmond win does for him
BOWYER: It gives so much confidence and so much momentum to the team. WE have just got to make sure we are consistent week in adn week out. We have done a pretty good job of that thus far, but the year isn't over with.
KASEY KAHNE
Q: Key to Saturday's race?
KAHNE: Just don't hit the wall. I think every car on the track is going to hit it. It's just how hard everyone is going to hit it. It's really going to be tough to pass.
FIRST PRACTICE
1. Casey Mears ... 177.685
2. Martin Truex Jr. ... 176.759
3. Robby Gordon ... 176.746
4. Jeff Gordon ... 175.817
5. Jimmie Johnson ... 175.509
6. David Gilliland ... 175.178
7. Denny Hamlin ... 174.804
8. Bobby Labonte ... 174.655
9. Elliott Sadler ... 174.463
10. Ryan Newman ... 174.352
2:35 p.m. UPDATE
Reed Sorenson hits the wall in the final practice session and also will go to a backup car.