Crew chief Matt Borland (left) and Ryan Newman are seeking their first win of 2005. Credit: Autostock

Mayfield, Newman pace Happy Hour at MIS

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Jeremy Mayfield and Ryan Newman posted identical times Friday during Happy Hour practice at Michigan International Speedway, placing a pair of Dodge Chargers atop the speed chart heading into Bud Pole Qualifying Saturday.

Jeremy Mayfield's last top-10 finish at Michigan came in 2001. Credit: Autostock

Mayfield's 37.481-second effort came on his second lap of practice, and Newman didn't match it until the late stages. The Nos. 19 and 12 Dodges appear to be quite consistent, as well.

Newman, who won this event a year ago, also paced Friday's first practice with the day's fastest lap - 192.164 mph. Mayfield was seventh.

"I've always liked this racetrack," Newman said. "I've always said it's an easy racetrack to drive, but it's a great racetrack to race because of the drafting, horsepower, you've got to get through the corners to get down the straightaways.

Batman Begins 400 Happy Hour Speeds 1st Practice Speeds Qualifying Order

"It's unique. One and two aren't even close to three and four as far as the way you drive it. You look at it and it looks similar. We've had a good combination ever since we came here and raced the ARCA car in 2000. I just enjoy it."

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Nextel Cup Series points leader Jimmie Johnson was third overall in Happy Hour, just seven-hundredths of a second off the quick pace, and up several positions from his 10th-place rank the first practice.

Nextel Cup PracticeJeremy Mayfield turns in the fastest lap in Friday's final Cup practice Sign up for TrackPass now and earn Fan Miles BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Johnson's teammate and two-time Michigan winner Jeff Gordon was fourth in Happy Hour and Mark Martin, whose resume includes four Michigan victories, was fifth.

Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers placed sixth and seventh, followed by MB2/MBV Motorsports teammates Scott Riggs and Joe Nemechek in eighth and ninth.

Nemechek has been a threat to win several races of late -- leading at Charlotte with 10 laps to go before blowing a tire and finishing third at Pocono last week -- and looks to be a threat once again.

Jeff Green rounded out the top-10 in the Petty Enterprises No. 43.

Kyle Busch was second in the first practice before dipping to 14th in Happy Hour. Casey Mears was third in the first session, followed by Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart.

Biffle, who ranks second to Johnson in the standings on the strength of a series-leading four wins, struggled in Happy Hour, finishing the session 35th on the chart.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is battling a touch of the flu this weekend, was 35th in the first practice, 42nd in the final session.

There were no accidents in either session, and Bud Pole Qualifying gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET on Saturday.