Though Dale Jarrett was 40th-fast in Friday's first session, he came back to lead Happy Hour. Credit: Autostock

Nemechek, Jarrett quick in Friday MIS practices

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Joe Nemechek rolled off the truck fast on Friday at Michigan International Speedway as teams prepared for Saturday's Bud Pole Qualifying.

Nemechek, who finished sixth here in June, led the first practice (186.994 mph) and was third quickest in Happy Hour. Dale Jarrett (187.208) led Happy Hour.

	Jeff Gordon is trying to secure a spot in the Chase. Credit: Autostock
	GFS MARKETPLACE 400 •   Happy Hour Speeds •   1st Practice Speeds •   Qualifying Order •   Complete Coverage

Teams completed two practice sessions for Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400. Bud Pole Qualifying is Saturday at 12:10 p.m. ET, and NASCAR will impound the cars after their qualifying laps.

Jeff Gordon, a two-time Michigan winner who is looking to gain ground in his quest to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup, was painfully ordinary during Friday's practices.

Gordon was sixth-best in the opening session, but he slid to 28th in Happy Hour as the team focused on improving their race setup.

"We were decent there when we made our qualifying run but we definitely weren't there for our race runs like we wanted to be," Gordon said. "The track has definitely changed a bit since we tested, so we're chasing it a little bit right now."

Gordon hasn't had a top-five in nearly four months and sits 13th in the standings despite three victories.

"You know, each race that goes by where we don't get that win or that top-five, the next one only becomes that much more important," Gordon said.

Joe Nemechek was consistently fast Friday. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Jimmie Johnson lost an engine just seven laps into the first practice session. He will have to start from the rear of the field and will be qualifying on Saturday in hopes of securing a good pit stall.

Johnson says the blown motor won't cost him any momentum. He was fifth at Watkins Glen last week. It was his first top-five in a month.

"Things are looking good for us and we're coming to some great tracks," Johnson said.

John Andretti, who is making his first appearance in the Nextel Cup Series since March, is driving this weekend for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in the No. 4 Chevrolet.

Morgan-McClure Motorsports is 36th in the owners standings and will have to make the GFS Marketplace 400 on time, but Andretti was just 42nd and 31st in the two practices.

This weekend is the first test for teams dealing with the new camber rule. Because of a rash of tire problems this summer, NASCAR mandated a maximum camber angle of eight degrees. Smaller camber angles reduce the strain on tires.

Both practices were run without incident.