DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and new Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch were at the top of the charts during the first three-day test session in preparation for the 50th Daytona 500 Jan. 7-9 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
With the Car of Tomorrow now the only car used in Cup competition, Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team led all three sessions that consisted of single-car runs, while Busch drove his M&Ms Toyota to the fastest lap during the three drafting sessions on the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
Johnson’s 184.782-mile-per-hour effort during Monday’s first session was the quickest single-car run of the week and again established the 2006 Daytona 500 winner as one of the favorites this season.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to get off the couch,” Johnson said. “If I sit around and eat any more food, drink any more beer, I won’t be able to get back into my suit and my race car. We’ve enjoyed the off-season, celebrated the championship. I’m excited to get back at the track.”
Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Casey Mears was second quickest during the single-car runs, with a 184.574 mph shot. NASCAR rookie Jacques Villeneuve, wheeling one of Bill Davis Racing’s Toyotas, was third.
Yates Racing driver Travis Kvapil in a Ford and A.J Allmendinger in one of the Red Bull Toyotas filled the top five.
Busch was sixth in single-car runs and led two of the three drafting sessions, with a best lap of 188.830 as his JGR team showed speed in its first outing with Toyota Camry race cars.
“We knew that the switch was going to be good and the reason we went to Toyota was for the pure fact that they want to go out there and compete and win races and win championships,” said Busch. “So that’s what we’re here to do with them.”
Roush Fenway Ford wheelman Matt Kenseth, Dodge driver Reed Sorenson, four-time series champion Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex, Jr. in  Chevrolets and Allmendinger were also at the top of the charts during drafting practice.
The second group of Cup Series teams will test at DIS Jan. 14-16.