Hamlin paces contenders in final practice

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Nothing might sum up the sense of intensity, excitement and anticipation surrounding this weekend's championship showdown than watching Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin running side-by-side during Saturday's final practice session.

Like the overture to the crescendo that promises to complete the final performance of the 2010 season, the two drivers separated by 15 points in the standings played a short duet midway through Happy Hour, with Johnson taking the low line and Hamlin staying up against the outside wall. They stayed that way for nearly two laps, perhaps providing a visual clue as to how close this year's Chase remains with one race remaining.

But while Hamlin was fourth quickest of the session, Kevin Harvick -- despite being 46 points behind, still hopes to provide counterpoint Sunday -- might have been happiest with the handling of his car when the final warm-up of the season ended.

"We didn't put up a fast lap but it never slows down," Harvick said of his car. "I'm really excited."

All three went out on sticker tires over the final few minutes of Happy Hour, hoping that the changes they made to their cars would translate over the 400 miles that separate each from the Sprint Cup trophy awarded at the conclusion of Sunday's Ford 400.

Johnson, who starts well ahead of the other two, had a little bit of a scare early on in the session when his car wiggled badly coming out of Turn 4. He continued without incident and brought the car back into the garage on the following lap. His best lap in Happy Hour was 22nd fastest on the board.

"We struggled a little bit maybe in the first practice," Johnson said. "But I found a good direction and started making some good gains there at the end. I feel really good about our car. It's very comfortable. I can run the top, run the bottom. I think we're in good shape."

Bright sunshine on Saturday made for a track that was described as hot and slick, conditions very similar to what are expected for Sunday's race.

"I think we've got the balance real close," Johnson said. "My motor's running great. Maybe some overall grip but I think there I'm one of 43 guys that are saying that. This hot sun out here [is making] the track awful slick."

Even though each driver is a soloist on Sunday, it's possible teammates could provide harmony, particularly at crucial junctures. Team owners Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress have invested large amounts of time, energy and money into the title battle.

Interestingly enough, teammates for all three contenders wound up as the three quickest cars in the first practice. Hamlin's teammate, Kyle Busch, turned a lap of 171.838 mph to pace that session. Jeff Burton, teammate to Harvick, was second. And Jeff Gordon, part-owner of Johnson's No. 48 Chevy, was third.

Burton topped Happy Hour at 169.545 mph, followed by Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr. and Hamlin.

Hamlin remembers helping Tony Stewart land a title in 2005, while for Harvick, being the owner of the championship truck required some team strategy. So the idea of "all for one, one for all" is deeply ingrained in the minds of at least two of the three contenders.

"I think for all these teams, the bigger goal is win it for the organization," Hamlin said. "That's why you probably see the crew swaps and stuff. They're doing what's best to win for their organization because they know if one of those teams wins that championship, it's going to benefit all of them.

"There's a bigger picture than each individual driver winning a championship."

Harvick agrees.

"There are a lot of things that your teammates can do as far as those things go," he said. "I think if it's winning a race, it's one thing. But for the company, a car winning a championship is the best thing that you could have for your organization.

"Half the fans will tell you that it's not right, the other half will call you stupid. You do what's right for your organization."

But Johnson provided the dissenting opinion.

"I could say in the nine years I've driven for Rick [Hendrick], it's never been asked of me, and I've never been asked or been in a position to ask a fellow teammate to do that for me," Johnson said. "My teammates have been racing against me for the championship, so they're never going to pull over and give me the points."

Sam Hornish Jr. spun and damaged the right rear of his No. 77 Dodge, forcing the team to pull out the backup car. In the day's first practice, Regan Smith flattened the right side of his No. 78 Chevrolet but crewmembers were able to pound out the fenders and he was 14th quickest in Happy Hour.

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