Jimmie Johnson's Daytona Diary: Thursday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The 2003 Speedweeks marathon is in full swing, and Jimmie Johnson is already setting a torrid pace.

Here's a look at his first two days at the beach:

Wednesday, Feb. 5

7 p.m. -- Flight arrives in Daytona Beach

7:10 p.m. -- Rent car

7:30 p.m. -- Check into condo on Daytona Beach

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"Since we've in Daytona for 11 days, I rent a condo so I don't have to stay in a motor coach for almost two weeks."

8 p.m. -- Dinner with friends

10 p.m. -- Visited my favorite local hangouts in Daytona including the Ocean Deck

Midnight -- Bed time

Thursday, February 06

9 a.m. -- Up and at 'em

9:15 a.m. -- Eat breakfast and watch ESPN and SPEED

"I like to catch up on my sports in case I missed something from the day before."

10 a.m. -- Shower, dress and head to Daytona International Speedway

11:15 a.m. -- Arrive at DIS

11:20 a.m. -- Meeting with my Dad at the motor coach

"My dad drives my motor coach for me, so he had parked it at DIS and was preparing it for Speedweeks."

11:25 a.m. Lunch

"My dad cooks meals for me, usually pasta and things that I can heat up quickly since I'm usually on the go a lot and don't always have a lot of time to eat."

11: 45 a.m. -- Drive to media day tent outside the track

	Drivers wait Thursday to draw their starting position for the Budweiser Shootout. Credit: Autostock

Noon -- Participate in Budweiser Shootout drawing, press conference

12:15 p.m. -- Select second starting position for Budweiser Shootout

"If you can't start on the pole, the second position is probably the next best thing, isn't it?"

12:50 p.m. -- Bud Shootout press conference ends

1 p.m. -- Interviews with print and television news

"NASCAR has all of the drivers attend this media session and the media has an opportunity to ask you questions about the 500 and about starting the 2003 season. I swear I was interviewed at least 50 times throughout the session."

1:30 p.m. -- Change into Lowe's driving suit

1:33 p.m. -- Begin interviews, photo shoot, interviews with key national broadcast outlets such as ESPN, Totally NASCAR, PRN, MRN, NASCAR Images and SPEED Channel.

"NASCAR does the photo shoots with different hats, having you say taglines for key markets and the networks will hold interviews to run throughout the season and specifically for the Daytona 500."

1:35 p.m. -- Interview with Marty Smith on NASCAR.com

"Met with Marty to talk shop. Marty is one of the best and I always have a great time chatting with him."

1:40-3 p.m. -- Complete interviews and photo shoots

3:10 p.m. -- Photo shoot and video shoot for 2003 TNT promos

"It was shot in a tent that was really hot and they sprayed water in my face to make it look like I was sweating. We also shot some cool still frame shots after. Hopefully this will turn out. The promos will be used for the second half of the season when TNT and NBC do their portion of the season."

3:30 p.m. -- Drive back into DIS

3:35 p.m. -- Meet the Lowe's crew guys in the garage area

"The guys were preparing the Bud Shootout No. 48 Lowe's Monte Carlo for tech and to get on the track tomorrow."

	Credit: Autostock

3:40 p.m. -- Photo shoot at the Goodyear building inside the track

"Just like at the media day, we take shots in different hats and they took shots of my helmet. Kenny Wallace was in there at the same time and was cracking me up the entire time. He is one of the funniest drivers in the series."

3:50 p.m. -- Head back outside the track

4 p.m. -- Live interview with ESPNews

4:15 p.m. -- Head back to the motorcoach

4:20 p.m. -- Change out of my Lowe's fire suit

4:35 p.m. -- Drive back to the condo

4:50 - 6 p.m. -- Grab a quick nap

6:05 p.m. -- Get ready for dinner

6:30 p.m. -- Drive back to Daytona USA for Budweiser Shootout dinner

7 - 8:30 p.m. -- Attend Budweiser Shootout dinner with key NASCAR officials, Budweiser reps and other drivers.

8:35 p.m. -- Back to the condo

9 p.m. -- Get to condo, chill out.

11 p.m. -- Bedtime

Follow Jimmie Johnson each day at Daytona in the Drivers & Teams section on NASCAR.com!