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Happy29
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Banquet 400 polesitter Jimmie Johnson has gone to a backup car for Sunday's race after a hard crash in the first practice session Saturday at Kansas Speedway.
Johnson, who won the pole Friday with a track-record 180.373 mph lap, got loose in Turn 2 and tried to correct. When the tires gripped, the No. 48 Chevrolet shot into the wall, severely damaging the right front.
Johnson was OK, but the car was destroyed. He had been the fastest of Saturday's first practice, going 175.205 mph, but he'll have to go to the rear of the field Sunday.
The backup car was run earlier this year at North Carolina Speedway, where Johnson wheeled it to an eighth-place finish. It has also been tested at Indianapolis and Las Vegas.
Johnson's Chad Knaus-led crew are apparently on top of their game, as the backup car turned a lap of 172.706 mph early in Happy Hour, which was good enough for fourth.
Johnson, fourth in the points standings is the second driver in the top 10 in points to go to a backup. Winston Cup leader Matt Kenseth crashed early in Friday's first practice, eliminating his primary car.
Johnson, who won the pole Friday with a track-record 180.373 mph lap, got loose in Turn 2 and tried to correct. When the tires gripped, the No. 48 Chevrolet shot into the wall, severely damaging the right front.
Johnson was OK, but the car was destroyed. He had been the fastest of Saturday's first practice, going 175.205 mph, but he'll have to go to the rear of the field Sunday.
The backup car was run earlier this year at North Carolina Speedway, where Johnson wheeled it to an eighth-place finish. It has also been tested at Indianapolis and Las Vegas.
Johnson's Chad Knaus-led crew are apparently on top of their game, as the backup car turned a lap of 172.706 mph early in Happy Hour, which was good enough for fourth.
Johnson, fourth in the points standings is the second driver in the top 10 in points to go to a backup. Winston Cup leader Matt Kenseth crashed early in Friday's first practice, eliminating his primary car.
