Johnson to backup after wreck on Saturday

Newman's speed leads Happy Hour at Kansas

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.

"I was trying to scuff in some tires and put a good lap on the board," Johnson said. "It was a little free the first lap, and typically it tightens up for the second lap. I came through 2, and it was just as loose, and I busted my butt.

"Just total driver mistake. I'm disappointed in myself. ... It wasn't the conditions we're going to see in the race, and I just got sucked in. The competitor in me knew I could run a faster lap, and the car got away from and got in the outside wall and killed the primary car."

Banquet 400  Lineup  Happy Hour Speeds  2nd Practice Speeds  1st Practice Speeds

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.

"You just try to stay out of trouble and work your way forward," Johnson said. "I think there's going to be a fair amount of cautions. The track's slick, especially on new tires. It's really hard to get any grip."

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.

	Ryan Newman Credit: Autostock

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 sixth in the session.

"Our backup car looks good," Johnson said. "Obviously, we wish we could have our primary car. It was better, the motor is better. Chad Knaus and these guys are going to hard all night long and figure out what we need to have that advantage back for (Sunday).

"Our guys are so prepared, and one of the reasons why they're so prepared is last year, I did this to them quite a bit. The backup car is always plugged in and ready to go. That's one of the morning things they do, to get that prepared in case this happens."

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.

Hamilton Jr. second-quickest in final practice

	Bobby Hamilton Jr.

Ryan Newman posted the fastest speed in Happy Hour, turning a lap of 175.245 in his Penske Racing Dodge. Newman has finished second twice at Kansas, both times to Jeff Gordon.

Bobby Hamilton Jr. was a surprise Saturday, posting the second-fastest speed at 174.644. Hamilton's Team Rensi Motorsports is making a rare appearance in Winston Cup, as they compete full-time in the Busch Series.

"If we can get out of here with a top 20, it would be like a win," Hamilton Jr. said. "We're gonna try to win today in the Busch Series and then try to come back over here and finish in the top 20 without tearing anything up. That would be like a win for us."

Bill Elliott was third at 173.01, with Tony Stewart fourth at 172.972 and Gordon, the two-time defending race winner, fifth at 172.927.

The top five in Saturday's morning practice was similar: Johnson at 175.205, Stewart at 175.148, Elliott at 175.086, Hamilton Jr. at 174.836 and Newman at 174.831.