Bristol's banking can make Johnson rather ordinary (cont'd)

Entering last year, one of Johnson's goals was getting that first career victory at Bristol. It was one of the few boxes he didn't check off during his historic pursuit of Cale Yarborough's three-peat. Johnson's emphasis on Bristol was evident in the 96 laps he made in final practice, more than only two other drivers.

"I look at it as those guys, when they get challenged like that, man, they go after it," Gordon said. "Just like on the road courses. When Jimmie first came to Hendrick Motorsports, he wasn't as competitive on the road courses and they looked at that as a real challenge and have stepped up to the challenge, in my opinion. I think Bristol has kind of always been one of those places that he feels like it is not his best track, and is something that challenges him and he has to work a little bit harder at. Some of these tracks it comes natural to some, and others it doesn't. It doesn't matter what setup you have, it is not always about that. This has been one of those places for Jimmie. Fortunately for him, this track is not in the Chase. It doesn't seem to affect him when it comes to the championship."

The strange thing is that no one is better than Johnson on another Sprint Cup short track, half-mile Martinsville Speedway -- where the series champion has won five times, including four of the last five times out. But according to Johnson, the approaches on those tracks could not be more different. At Bristol, Johnson said, drivers are on the gas more in the corners than in the straightaways, a fact that's always thrown him. On race runs, drivers are coming off the throttle even before they've reached the start/finish line. The rhythm of the place is something he's never quite figured out.

"It just doesn't work for me," Johnson said. "I don't know why, but it's backward."

Elsewhere from Happy Hour:
• Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has scored more points over the last 10 races at Bristol than any other driver, seems poised for another strong effort Sunday. The Hendrick driver was sixth-fastest in final practice, turning a top lap of 122.748 mph in his No. 88 car.

• Richard Childress Racing, which swept the top three places at Bristol last spring, placed three cars in the top 10 in final practice Saturday. Kevin Harvick was fastest of the group in seventh, while Casey Mears was eighth and Clint Bowyer ninth. The lone exception in the RCR camp was Jeff Burton, the defending race winner, who was 20th.

• Front-row starter Ryan Newman backed up his qualifying run in final practice, recording the second-fastest lap behind Hamlin. Pole-sitter Mark Martin was further back in 14th. Martin, 35th in owners' points, needs a good finish Sunday to avoid having to qualify on speed when 2009 points go into effect next week at Martinsville.