RELATED: Full practice results
Making a single-car run around Daytona International Speedway, Jimmie Johnson topped the leaderboard in Thursday’s final practice ahead of tonight’s Can-Am Duel races (7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET, FS1). Johnson whirled his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at a rapid 193.054 mph around the 2.5-mile speedway.
“Definitely some good gains for the Lowe’s Chevrolet there,” Johnson told FS1 after his strong run.
The 55-minute practice was dominated by single-car runs, with the exception of new Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Aric Almirola and Brian Scott. Scott and Almirola came in second and third, respectively, on the leaderboard, posting identical speeds (189.897 mph) and times (47.394-second lap).
Ty Dillon ranked fourth on the speed charts in his No. 95 Chevrolet (189.837 mph), while Ryan Newman wheeled his No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at 189.697 mph to round out the top five.
Kyle Larson — who was sixth-fastest (189.362 mph) — debuted a new No. 42 Chevrolet on track today, as his original ride was heavily damaged in a wreck during yesterday’s practice.
RELATED: Wreck damages several cars during Cup practice
With the Duels tonight, only seven cars went on-track for the day’s final practice.