Testing Ban in 2009: In an effort to help teams manage costs, NASCAR is suspending testing for its three national and two regional racing series for the 2009 season. Testing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as well as the NASCAR Camping World East and West Regional Touring Series at tracks hosting any of those events are included in the 2009 policy. NASCAR reached this decision following several months of discussion with the teams regarding testing, coupled with the current economic conditions. The suspension of testing should save the industry millions of dollars. "This is a significant move during an unusual time for all of us," said NASCAR President Mike Helton in making the announcement. “NASCAR has routinely adjusted its test policy over the years to reflect current conditions. This is another example of that.”(NASCAR PR)(11-14-2008)

2008
NASCAR announced the 2008 testing schedules for its three national series. NASCAR determined the test schedules based upon the input and cooperation from each of the teams’ crew chiefs. The Sprint Cup Series testing sessions begin at Daytona with NASCAR Preseason Thunder, starting Monday, Jan. 7 and running through Wednesday, Jan. 9 for approximately half of the teams. Thursday, Jan. 10 is the rain date, if necessary. The following week, the remaining teams will test Monday, Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Jan. 16, with Thursday, Jan. 17 as the rain date. Test sessions at Daytona are scheduled for 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., weather permitting, with an hour lunch break from noon until 1 p.m. The remaining five tracks that will host test sessions for the Sprint Cup Series include:
* Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Jan. 28-29
* California Speedway – Jan. 31- Feb. 1
* Phoenix International Raceway – March 3-4
* Lowe’s Motor Speedway – May 5-6
* Pocono Raceway – May 27-28
* Lowe’s Motor Speedway – Sept. 23-24
(NASCAR PR)(12-4-2007)

2007
NASCAR has set its 2007 Nextel Cup Series testing schedule that includes seven different venues that will provide the teams an opportunity to prepare for the various track layouts and surfaces that they will face over the course of the season. NASCAR determined the test schedule with the input and cooperation of each of the teams’ crew chiefs.
The testing sessions begin at Daytona International Speedway with the NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder at Daytona, beginning Monday, Jan. 8 running through Wednesday, Jan. 10 for approximately half the teams. Thursday, Jan. 11 is the rain date, if necessary. Test sessions will resume Monday, Jan. 15 through Wednesday, Jan. 17, with Thursday, Jan. 18 as the rain date for the remaining teams. Test sessions at Daytona are scheduled for 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., weather permitting, with an hour lunch break from noon until 1 p.m.

The remaining six tracks that will host test sessions are:
* Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Jan. 29-30 (rain date is Jan. 31)
* Bristol Motor Speedway – Feb. 28-March 1 (rain date is March 2)
* Richmond International Raceway – April 3-4 (rain date is April 5)
* Lowe’s Motor Speedway – May 7-8 (rain date is May 9)
* Dover International Speedway – May 14-15 (rain date is May 16) CANCELLED
* Talladega Superspeedway – Sept. 10-11 (rain date is Sept. 12)
NASCAR instituted a new track testing policy in 2006 that pre-sets a schedule for when and where NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series tests are to be conducted. The scheduled tests are the only opportunities teams will have to test at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup tracks. The policy was implemented to serve as an aid to maintain better overall competitive balance for the teams and contain costs. “NASCAR received input and recommendations from each of the crew chiefs that was valuable to our decision making process,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president for competition. “The seven tracks that were selected provide the teams with a wide variety of layouts, surfaces, and track characteristics that should provide them with an opportunity to have success in 2007.”(NASCAR PR)(9-25-2006)

2006
The scheduled tests will be the only opportunities teams will have to test at Nextel Cup tracks. Teams will be able to schedule tests at facilities that do not host NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events [such as Kentucky, Nashville, Greenville-Pickens, Rockingham, etc]. There will be six test locations that include Lowe's Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Testing in Daytona will be conducted January 9-11 (even-numbered cars) and January 16-18 (odd-numbered cars). The Las Vegas tests will be January 30-February 1. All other dates will be announced at a later time.(NASCAR PR)(11-10-2005)

2006 Nextel Cup Testing Dates:
Daytona: Jan 9-11 and 16-18
Las Vegas: Jan 30 - Feb 1.
Richmond: Apr 11-13
Lowe's: May 1-3
Indianapolis: July 10-12
Homestead: October 16-18

2005
As far as I know, the same rules as in 2004:
Each team (consisting of a car #) are allowed five two-day private-car tests and four single-day tests (14 total days).
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 5,23?,36,77) are permitted seven two-day tests and five single-day tests (19 total days) at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks such as:
Kentucky Speedway, Greensville-Pickens Speedway, USA Intl Speedway in Lakeland FL, Nashville Superspeedway
Texas World Speedway, Virginia Intl Raceway, plus proving grounds such as General Motors facility in Mesa, AZ, Ford's in Yucca, AZ and Dodge uses Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.
ALL teams get charged a two-day test date for the Daytona 500.
West Coast Testing at California/Las Vegas in Jan/Feb will count as one two-day test.
AND - For new Cup and Busch teams or those not among the top 45 in the 2003 owner points and/or in the top 45 in the current season’s owner points will receive one two-day test and one single-day test (total of three days) until they attempt to qualify for a race. Each time a qualification attempt is made, teams will receive an additional two-day/single-day allotment, up to the maximum amount.

2004
Each team (consisting of a car #) are allowed five two-day private-car tests and four single-day tests (14 total days).
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 9,10,22,25,30,77) are permitted seven two-day tests and five single-day tests (19 total days) at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks such as:
Kentucky Speedway, Greensville-Pickens Speedway, USA Intl Speedway in Lakeland FL, Nashville Superspeedway
Texas World Speedway, Virginia Intl Raceway, plus proving grounds such as General Motors facility in Mesa, AZ, Ford's in Yucca, AZ and Dodge uses Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.
ALL teams get charged a two-day test date for the Daytona 500.
AND - For new Cup and Busch teams or those not among the top 45 in the 2003 owner points and/or in the top 45 in the current season’s owner points will receive one two-day test and one single-day test (total of three days) until they attempt to qualify for a race. Each time a qualification attempt is made, teams will receive an additional two-day/single-day allotment, up to the maximum amount.

2003
Each team (consisting of a car #) can test up to five times at a track that holds a Cup race.
Each test can last two days.
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 0,14,16,41,42,66,74) can test nine times at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks such as: Kentucky Speedway, Greensville-Pickens Speedway, USA Intl Speedway in Lakeland FL, Nashville Superspeedway
Texas World Speedway, Virginia Intl Raceway, plus proving grounds such as General Motors facility in Mesa, AZ, Ford's in Yucca, AZ and Dodge uses Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.
ALL teams get charged a Test date for the Daytona 500, whether they test or not.

2002
Each team (consisting of a car #) can test up to seven times at a track that holds a Cup race.
Each test can last two days.
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 12,48,59) can test 12 times at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks (Kentucky, Greensville-Pickens, Lakeland, Nashville, etc)
ALL teams get charged a Test date for Daytona, Indy and Las Vegas whether they test or not.