DARLINGTON, S.C. — Jimmie Johnson topped the chart in first Sprint Cup Series practice at Darlington Raceway.
The driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 27.937 and a speed of 176.025 mph. Denny Hamlin was second in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with a time of 28.091 and a speed of 175.060 mph. Ryan Blaney was third in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford with a time of 28.147 and a speed of 174.711 mph. Kyle Larson was fourth in his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.174 and a speed of 174.544 mph. Ryan Newman rounded out the top-five in his No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with a time of 28.178 and a speed of 174.519 mph.
Brad Keselowski was sixth in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. Chase Elliott was seventh in his No. 24 HMS Chevrolet. Martin Truex Jr. was eighth in his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota. Paul Menard was ninth in his No. 27 RCR Chevrolet. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top-10 in his No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.
Johnson posted the fasted 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 173.389 mph. Hamlin was second at an average speed of 173.144 mph.
The Sprint Cup Series is back on track at 1:30 p.m. for final practice.
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