Jimmie Johnson paces final practice at Martinsville

Posted October 31, 2015 7:00 am

The Associated Press

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.

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).

Joey Logano, left, reacts after winning the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Steve Sheppard) The Associated Press

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