Kyle Larson was fastest in Friday’s lone NASCAR Cup practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Larson covered the 1.058-mile flat track at 135.714 mph, followed by Kyle Busch (135.342) and Kasey Kahne (135.198).
Points leader and Chicagoland winner Martin Truex Jr. was the early speed leader before the other three surpassed his speed, dropping him to fourth (135.188 mph).
Ryan Blaney was fifth (135.030 mph), followed by Denny Hamlin (134.973), Matt Kenseth (134.901), Erik Jones (134.606), Jamie McMurray (134.340) and Kurt Busch (134.240).
Jones was the only non-playoff driver in the top 10.
Two incidents occurred within minutes of each other and involved Hendrick Motorsports teammates.
About 21 minutes into the session, Jimmie Johnson hit the Turn 3 wall, his No. 48 Chevrolet suffering heavy right rear damage.
About 10 minutes later, Chase Elliott drifted up the track and couldn’t catch his No. 24 Chevy before it skimmed the wall.
Both drivers went to backup cars as a result.
MORE: Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott hit wall early in practice
Between both his primary and backup cars, Johnson struggled to find speed, finishing the session just 22nd fastest (133.021 mph), while Elliott was 32nd (131.320 mph) prior to his wreck. Elliott did not return to the track after that as his team prepared his back-up car..
Other playoff drivers that struggled included Austin Dillon (23rd, 133.017) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (24th, 132.836).
The only other Cup related on-track action takes place late this afternoon at 5:15 p.m. ET with qualifying for Sunday’s ISM Connect 300.
The Cup cars have two additional practice sessions on Saturday.
Click here for the full practice grid speed chart.