LOUDON, N.H. – Ryan Newman cemented his role as the favorite for the Siemens 300 by leading all drivers during the final practice session Saturday morning.

The Bud pole winner as the fastest qualifier Friday, Newman recorded a top speed of 130.220 miles per hour during Happy Hour. Kurt Busch and Bobby Hamilton Jr. also surpassed the 130 mph mark. Newman has recorded the fastest speed in two of the three weekend practice sesions.

Points leader Jimmie Johnson starts on the outside of Row 1. Johnson struggled in Happy Hour, posting the 15th fastest speed.

Ricky Craven, who is starting 10th in Sunday’s Nextel Cup race, clocked the 18th and 16th fastest laps during Saturday’s two sessions. Craven was only 18th Friday in the opening qualifying session before putting it all together during qualifying.

The Newburgh, Maine, driver is looking to turn his season around during the second half of the schedule. Craven and car owner Cal Wells have agreed to part ways after finishing out the season.

Extra-curricular activity

In the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s scary wreck last weekend where he suffered second-degree burns in a non-Nextel Cup race, several drivers are facing questions over whether they should be competing in unsanctioned events.

Earnhardt was competing in a American LeMans Series race in California on a rare Nextel Cup open weekend. The same weekend saw Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch compete in the Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Jeff Gordon is one of the few drivers who does not race on open weekends, but that does not mean that the four-time Nextel Cup champ avoids dangerous activities.

“When I have down time, I like to do other things besides race cars,” said Gordon. “You would think swimming with sharks could be just as dangerous as racing a car.”

Gordon and Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson recently swam with sharks during feeding time in the Carribean. Johnson said he and Gordon felt extremely safe, but worried about all the people watching the activity from above.

The seriousness of the Earnhardt accident and how quickly the flames grew and surrounded him surprised Gordon, who saw it on tape like everyone else. He said it was doubtful that Earnhardt expected such a result from what appeared to be a minor incident before the fire appeared.

Fire is the major fear for all drivers, but recent advances in technology, including clothing and safety features inside the car have drivers feeling a lot safer.

“Fire is something you prepare for, but hope you never experience,” Gordon said. “I feel we’re in pretty good shape in terms of safety.”

While many drivers do not wear some of the fire-resistant clothing under their race suit because of all the heat in the cockpit, Gordon does wear the safety clothing. He said he got used to the three-layer clothing from his days racing sprint cars.

Earnhardt, meanwhile, still plans to start Sunday’s race in order to receive points to insure he will be among the top 10 drivers for the final “Chase for the Championship.” Martin Truex Jr. is expected to replace Earnhardt during the first yellow flag. Even of Truex, who qualified the car third on Friday, goes on to win the race, Earnhardt will still be listed in the record book as the winner of the 2004 Siemens 300.

Third of three

After a 24-hour delay, the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series competed in the Siemens 100 following the Busch and Busch North series races.

Under threatening skies and diminishing sunshine, the open-wheel racers completed the race despite numerous cautions during their 100-lap feature.

Twins Ted and Mike Christopher finished 1-2 in the race. Mike Stefanik took third.

The race featured nine cautions for 52 laps. Just 14 of the 42 drivers finished on the lead lap.