It seemed like the early 2000s at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.<\/p>\n
After spending the past two years racing IndyCars and other various motorsport past-times, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson returned to the NASCAR Cup Series circuit as co-owner\/part-time driver of the 84 Chevrolet.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like Johnson never faded away.<\/p>\n
Johnson on Friday turned a fast-lap of 194.225 mph on the 2.5-mile oval to pace the field in the premier series\u2019 first practice for Sunday\u2019s Daytona 500. Chevrolet drivers clocked the top four speeds.<\/p>\n
Chase Elliott, a former Hendrick Motorsports teammate of Johnson\u2019s, placed second at 194.195 mph. He was followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Alex Bowman, who earned the pole position Wednesday.<\/p>\n
For Johnson, it was his first competitive run in the new Next Gen car, which debuted last season. Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 titleholder.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my first weekend in this car,\u201d Johnson said, as reported by NASCAR.com. \u201cIt\u2019s just so fun to get out there and mix it up. I was in a great draft with Chase and understanding the bump-drafting aspect of where this car is and got some quality reps there, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aric Almirola paced the Fords with an eighth-place finish. Clash at the Coliseum winner Martn Truex Jr. Finished 17th, pacing the Toyotas.<\/p>\n
Cup Series pilots are scheduled for a second practice run Friday, before Saturday’s final practice Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
\nBack where it all started. #NASCAR75<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DpL1khHwcv<\/a><\/p>\n
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n