Jimmie Johnson paces final practice at Martinsville
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) Jimmie Johnson led the final practice session before Sunday's playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.
The six-time NASCAR champion was eliminated from the Chase for the Sprint Cup in the first round. A win at Martinsville would be a nice consolation prize for Johnson, who paced practice with a lap of 97.108 mph.
Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion and Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski both turned a lap of 96.721 for the session's second-fastest speed. Both are among the final eight drivers still remaining in the Chase.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}They were followed by Paul Menard and Dale Earnhardt Jr., both already been eliminated from the Chase.
Other Chase drivers in final practice were: Joey Logano (seventh), Martin Truex Jr. (eighth), Jeff Gordon (12th), Kurt Busch (19th), Carl Edwards (21st) and Kyle Busch (26th).