Jimmie Johnson led the way in the first Sprint Cup Series practice at Darlington Raceway on Saturday morning with a lap at 176.025 mph.
Johnson was followed by Denny Hamlin (175.060 mph), Ryan Blaney (174.711 mph), Kyle Larson (174.544 mph), and Ryan Newman (174.519 mph).
The rest of the top 10 were Brad Keselowski (174.488 mph), Chase Elliott (174.136 mph), Martin Truex Jr. (173.620 mph), Paul Menard (173.417 mph), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (173.240 mph).
Jeff Gordon, who will make his fifth start in the No. 88 for Dale Earnhardt Jr., was 14th fastest at 172.802 mph. Defending race winner Carl Edwards 22nd fastest at 172.155 mph.
There were no incidents in the 1 hour, 25-minute session.
Here are the speeds from first practice:
