Johnson fastest at Sears Point on Wednesday: Rookie [#48] Jimmie Johnson, who had never raced a NASCAR Winston Cup car at Sears Point Raceway, recorded the fastest time during a two-day test session on the 12-turn road course. Johnson turned a time of 1 minute, 17.2 seconds [93.264mph] over the 2-mile course to lead a group of six NASCAR drivers who spent Tuesday and Wednesday shaking down the course for the upcoming Dodge/Save Mart 350, June 20-23. Fellow rookie #12 Ryan Newman was right behind Johnson at 1:17.22 [93.240], thanks to some coaching from road-race specialist Scott Pruett over the two days. Newman, like Johnson, was getting his first taste of Sears Point Raceway in a Cup car. Other times were recorded by #87-Ron Fellows (1:17.30 – 93.144), #28-Ricky Rudd (1:17.50 – 92.903]), #97-Kurt Busch (1:17.50 – 92.903) and #17-Matt Kenseth (1:17.82 – 92.521). Kenseth had posted the quick time during the first day of testing on Tuesday.(Sears Points PR)(4-25-2002)
