TESTING NOTES: what you see posted here is all I know about testing
I do not know of any other sites that have testing news or I'd post the link
Some teams test and there is no report on it, some tracks do not release speeds
How many tests can each team have?
2007 Testing News:
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)
* ADDED: Atlanta Motor Speedway - Oct. 29-30
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)
Testing in Nashville: Team Red Bull had the track reserved for Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28; however that didn't stop some other NASCAR teams to tag along for the day. Four cars including the #31, #29, #55, and #44 spent the day testing together on the 1.33 mile "D" shaped concrete oval Nashville Superspeedway. Jeff Burton tested his #31 and Scott Wimmer tested Kevin Harvick's #29. Team Red Bull will have the track on Wednesday.(Nashville Superspeedway)(11-27-2007)
#15 DEI team testing: The #15 DEI team is scheduled to be testing at Kentucky Speedway this Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for next year's intermediate track events. Paul Menard will be on hand for the test and to assist in the preparation for the 2008 Sprint Cup season.(Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing PR)(11-27-2007)
"COT" to make first appearance at LVMS: NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" will make take its first laps around the high-banked Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Dec. 11 as five drivers will conduct a tire test on behalf of Goodyear. #20-Tony Stewart, #17-Matt Kenseth, #31-Jeff Burton, #9-Kasey Kahne and #28-Travis Kvapil will take part in the two-day test. It will be a significant test for both the race teams and the speedway. This past year's Nextel Cup and Busch events were the first for each series since the speedway's banking was increased from 12 to 20 degrees. The five drivers will help Goodyear select a tire for the UAW-Dodge 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on March 2, 2008. The test is not open to the public. Tickets for both the UAW-Dodge 400 and Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series event are on sale now by calling the speedway's box office at 1-800-644-4444 or online at www.lvms.com. Neon Garage, Lucky 7 parking and Driver Introduction passes also are available.(LVMS PR)(11-21-2007)
Tire Test at Calif UPDATE: there will be a Goodyear Tire test at California Speedway on Monday, Nov 12th, no word on the drivers testing. The tests are usually closed to the public.(11-11-2007) UPDATE: Goodyear said that it wasn't happy with the tire problems at Atlanta so it will be testing Atlanta again with the car of tomorrow. And car-of-tomorrow tire tests are scheduled for California Speedway this week, probably with David Green in a Rick Hendrick car, and for Las Vegas Motor Speedway in two weeks. Goodyear is trying to organize the tire logistics for next season too, because it needs several thousand tires for each Cup-Busch-Truck weekend, and it would like not to have to bring so many different types of tires. So, Goodyear will be testing the car of tomorrow and Trucks together, to try to find a common tire that works.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-12-2007)
#96 tests at Caraway: Tony Raines and the #96 Hall of Fame Racing team tested a COT Wednesday at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC on Wednesday.(HOF Racing)(11-8-2007)
Testing at Nashville: Joe Gibbs Racing was testing their Chevrolets Tuesday and Wednesday at the Nashville Superspeedway. Driver Joey Logano, Busch East Champion, was in the driver's seat both days.(Nashville Superspeedway)(11-7-2007)
Carpentier to test at Memphis Monday: Canadian Patrick Carpentier is scheduled to test the #10 Nextel Cup Series car for Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) on Monday, Nov. 5, at Memphis Motorsports Park. Carpentier will take over the driving duties of the #10 Dodge for the final two Cup races of the season (in Phoenix and Homestead) and full time in 2008. Fans can watch testing sessions at the NASCAR oval from Grandstand G at no charge. The garage and infield are not open to the public. Schedule subject to change. Test times vary. NASCAR returns to Memphis Motorsports Park in June 2008 with the Craftsman Truck Series, and October 2008 with the Nationwide Series. Season tickets are on sale now at MemphisMotorsportsPark.com and by phone toll-free at 1-866-40-SPEED.(Memphis Motorsports Park PR)(11-1-2007)
Franchitti tests at Kentucky: Two months after turning a surprise, inverted, aerial IndyCar Series trick at Kentucky Speedway, Dario Franchitti returned to the track on Halloween to treat himself to a stock car test with his new Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates team. "I had talked about doing some stock car stuff last year quite a bit. I
wasn't sure it would happen, but the timing was just right, having been able to win the 500 and the championship. It was time to do something different and Chip's phone call was perfectly timed," Franchitti said. Wednesday's test provided him an understandably different feel at a facility where he registered three top-10 IndyCar finishes in five career starts, but proved helpful to increasing his stock-car comfort level. "I feel fairly comfortable today in this car, I think it's an ARCA car. I think the COT is going to take a bit longer to get comfortable in because it's so different. With the big, high center of gravity there's just no grip with the thing so I was kind of thrown off the deep end in Atlanta having never driven a Cup car of any kind. It showed me how far I've got to go. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Busch Series Program Manager Brian Pattie presided over Wednesday's test and has been Franchitti's point person during his transition. Pattie said the primary goal of today's test was to provide Franchitti with different experiences in the car.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-1-2007)
COT Testing at Atlanta Concludes: Atlanta Motor Speedway's three-day Pep Boys Auto 500 race weekend was extended two days, allowing teams to participate in a Car of Tomorrow test. More than 50 cars were on hand to fine-tune the NASCAR race car. Kyle Busch posted the fastest lap during the two-day test with a circuit around AMS' 1.54-mile quad oval in 29.632 seconds, (187.095 mph). (AMS PR), see updates and complete times on the Atlanta Testing Page.(10-31-2007)
Goodyear likely to return to Atlanta for more testing: Goodyear likely will have to return to Atlanta next January to select a different tire than the one Nextel Cup teams tested on Monday and Tuesday. Some teams have worn their tires out before the end of a fuel run, which is about 50-55 laps. "We're pretty comfortable with what we've seen," said Goodyear's Greg Stucker. "[But] it appears the setup on the car of tomorrow is still pretty aggressive from a wear perspective. We'll probably test again and try ... to get more wear resistant. I think everybody is comfortable with the level of grip they have. Our target is a gas stop [for wear], and not everybody is able to get there right now." Goodyear has at least two more tire tests left this year. It will test Nov. 5 at California with Hendrick Motorsports and David Green as the driver. It also will test Dec. 11-12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with teams to be determined.(SceneDaily.com)(10-31-2007)
Franchitti Testing at Kentucky Wednesday: Dario Franchitti will continue his transition to full-time NASCAR competition by testing at Kentucky Speedway Oct. 31. Test sessions usually begin at 9:00 a.m., and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Fans are able to view sessions for free from the designated area outside the Kentucky Speedway Fan Center located off of Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N., in Sparta, Ky.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(10-30-2007)
Yeley to test at Atlanta in the #96: on Monday and Tuesday next week, J.J. Yeley will work toward getting 2008 off to a good start by testing the #96 DLP HDTV Chevrolet for Hall of Fame Racing (HoFR) at Atlanta. Yeley will drive for HoFR beginning in 2008 and will test for the team during NASCAR’s two-day open test at Atlanta with the Car of Tomorrow (CoT). Teley tested the #96 recently at Kentucky Speedway.(JGR PR), Kyle Busch will test the #18 car for JGR, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will test for Hendrick Motorsports, could see other dirvers in their 2008 rides in the Atlanta COT test.(10-25-2008)
Johnson to test at Kentucky next week UPDATE cancelled: Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team are scheduled to test the #48 Lowe's Chevy at Kentucky Speedway Oct. 22. Fans can view testing for free from the designated area outside the speedway Fan Center in Turn 3. Test sessions generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. Times will vary based on team goals and schedules.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(10-18-2007) UPDATE: The Nextel Cup Series test scheduled for Jimmie Johnson at Kentucky Speedway today [Monday] has been cancelled. Johnson earned his series-leading seventh win of the season yesterday [Sunday] at Martinsville Speedway.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(10-22-2007)
Testing at Gateway: #27-Jacques Villeneuve and #22-Dave Blaney, both of Bill Davis Racing, are scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 23-24. The Wednesday test session is open to the public with gates opening at 9 a.m.(GIR PR)(10-22-2007)
Testing at Kentucky AND: J.J. Yeley tested for Hall of Fame Racing at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, along with David Green testing for Michael Waltrip Racing. #45-Kyle Petty is scheduled to test on Wednesday [Oct 16th]. Also Jeff Green and the #66 Haas CNC Racing team are taking part in a two-day test session, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16-17. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway/Best Buy PR)(10-17-2007) AND Correction... Mark Green was testing for Michael Waltrip Racing and David Green was there testing for Hendrick Motorsports R&D Team.(10-18-2007)
Tire testing at LMS: The #22 Caterpillar Racing team and driver Dave Blaney spent Monday and Tuesday tire testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The team will spend two days next week at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. The BDR team will also participate in the COT test at Atlanta Motor Speedway at the end of the month.(BDR PR)
AND #2-Kurt Busch and crew are tire testing for Goodyear at Lowe's Motor Speedway for two days this week (Oct. 15-16) and it gave the Miller Lite Dodge Team the
opportunity to get track time with the new COT cars on the fast 1.5-mile quad-oval.(TRPR)(10-17-2007)
#31 testing at Nashville: Jeff Burton and the #31 AT&T Racing team are scheduled to test at Nashville Superspeedway on Wednesday, October 17 in preparation for
the remaining races on the 2007 NASCAR Cup Series calendar.(RCR PR)(10-17-2007)
Franchitti to test at Memphis: Dario Franchitti - is scheduled to be on the track in Memphis this Wednesday, Oct. 17, for a closed test session, fueling speculation that he will enter the Busch Series Sam's Town 250 on Oct. 27. Franchitti made a successful stock car debut for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) in the ARCA race at Talladega Oct. 5. After testing in Memphis this week, he is slated to make his Craftsman Truck Series debut Saturday in Martinsville before a possible return to Memphis to make his
first Busch Series start. CGRFS announced Oct. 3 that Franchitti had signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2008 driving the # 40 Dodge Avenger next season. The 34-year-old Franchitti is in the midst of a stock car development program similar to the one CGRFS teammate Juan Pablo Montoya engaged in
just over a season ago, with an impressive qualifying run and ARCA race in Talladega that led to his NASCAR debut in Memphis. The official entry list for the Sam's Town 250 will be released next week. NASCAR returns to Memphis Motorsports Park on Oct. 26-27. For Sam's Town 250 tickets or more information, call toll-free 1-866-40-SPEED or visit
MemphisMotorsportsPark.com.(MMP PR)(10-16-2007)
Roush testing at CMP: been told that Carl Edwards and Colin Braun are at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC today testing Busch cars.(Carolina Motorsports Park)(10-16-2007)
Testing at Gateway....changes: #27-Jacques Villeneuve and #22-Dave Blaney of Bill Davis Racing have rescheduled their Car of Tomorrow test at Gateway International Raceway originally slated for tomorrow [Oct 16] to next week [dates will be announced]. #48-Jimmie Johnson is still scheduled to test at GIR tomorrow and Wednesday, Oct.
16-17. GIR's Select-A-Seat event is still scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday. On Wednesday [Oct 17], #07-Clint Bowyer, #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Elliott Sadler are scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway.(Gateway International Raceway PR)(10-15-2007)
Testing at Gateway next week UPDATE: Gillet-Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing are scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway Wednesday, Oct. 17. The RCR #07 team of Clint Bowyer and the GEM #19 team of Elliott Sadler are planning to attend. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Bill Davis Racing is scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway with drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Dave Blaney.(Gateway International Raceway PR) No word if the public can go watch the test.(10-9-2007) UPDATE: #48-Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16-17. Also testing Tuesday is Jacques Villeneuve and Dave Blaney. On Wednesday, Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer and Gillet-Evernham Motorsports drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler are scheduled to test at Gateway International Raceway. The test sessions will be open to the public with an announcement to be released tomorrow.(Gateway International Raceway PR)(10-10-2007)
Kurt Busch tests at Iowa: #2-Kurt Busch and the Miller Lite Dodge team tested at the Iowa Speedway Oct. 9-10, 2007. “We’re just using the test to sort out some stuff that will help us in the future COT races,” Crew Chief Pat Tryson said late Tuesday afternoon from the seven-eighths-mile “Rusty Wallace designer track,” located near Newton, Iowa. “Kurt was out in Las Vegas on Monday for the Dodge function and the group dropped him off here on their way back to North Carolina. We’re pretty fortunate to be getting in the additional test time and it can only help. We’re in line to do some tire testing for Goodyear next Monday and Tuesday at Charlotte (Lowe’s Motor Speedway), so we have a pretty busy schedule going right now.” Kurt Busch Inc. has scheduled its special “Grand Opening Open House” celebration this Thursday (Oct. 11) at the KBI complex - kurtbusch.com.(Tom Roberts PR)(10-10-2007)
Ganassi testing at Gateway: For the third time this season, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates tested at Gateway International Raceway, this time for a two-day test focusing on the upcoming "Car of Tomorrow" race at Phoenix International Raceway. Kevin Hamlin, who earned his best-ever Busch Series finish at GIR with a seventh-place effort in July, piloted the Ganassi Dodge Charger during the sessions. "We really enjoy this race track," Hamlin said. "I really like running here. It's always fun to come back, it's a fun town, and it's a good place to test various things on the car. We come to get data for (Ganassi's Nextel Cup Series teams) and hopefully, what we learn will translate well and help them on the race track. The stuff we've found this year already has. Our Car of Tomorrow program is getting better and all three (Cup Series) guys are running really well, so that means we're doing our job here." Despite high temps and rain on Monday and cool, breezy conditions on Tuesday, Hamlin said there wasn't much difference on the track. "Track-wise, it's actually about the same," he said. "We got about the same track times we did yesterday. Which is good because that means our data is going to be more consistent. It's a little more comfortable in the car today than it was yesterday. When it gets humid here and rains, it's pretty miserable, but you couldn't ask for a better day today." There was speculation that Hamlin would drive a full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule for Ganassi next year, but he said that probably isn't the case. "I don't think so," the Washington native said. "I have a role of testing and limited races here and there. Obviously, as a driver I want to go full-time, but I'm pretty lucky to be able to do this for a living. I have a lot of fun coming here with these test guys. Next year, we're going to be doing a lot of testing and hopefully, I'll get a handful of races and we'll see what happens."(GIR Site)(10-9-2007)
Testing at Kentucky: Sam Hornish, Jr. is scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway in and Penske Racing R&D car along with #36-Jeremy Mayfield on Tuesday, Oct 9th and on Wed, Oct 10th Gillet Evernham Racing will test and R&D car, no driver named. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(10-9-2007)
Testing at Kentucky this week: today [Oct 1] Kevin Hamlin is testing at Kentucky Speedway in the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, on Tuesday, October 2nd Sam Hornish, Jr. is scheduled to test for Penske Racing and on Wednesday and Thursday this week [Oct 3-4th] Joe Gibbs Racing will test with their R&D team. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway site)(10-1-2007)
Testing in Nashville: Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge Cup Cars #98 and #9 tested Wednesday at the Nashville Superspeedway. Scott Riggs pulled double duty today at the track, testing both cars on the 1.33 mile Superspeedway. Gillett Evernham Motorsports has the track reserved for tomorrow, Thursday, March 27, too.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(9-27-2007)
Hornish to test at Kentucky Wed: Sam Hornish, Jr., is scheduled to continue his stock car racing experience during a Sept. 26 test at Kentucky Speedway. Testing usually begins at 9:00am and ends at 5:00pm. Times will vary based on team goals. Fans can watch testing for free from the designated area outside the track Fan Center located off
of Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N in Sparta, Ky.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(9-26-2007)
Goodyear Returns to DIS for Daytona 500 Tire Testing: Goodyear returned on Tuesday [Sept 25] to Daytona International Speedway for tire testing with NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow in preparation for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17. Rain slowed Goodyear's two-day test last week at DIS. Goodyear, testing different tire compounds and structures for the 50th running of the Daytona 500, only got on the track for an afternoon session on the first day. On Tuesday, four drivers participated in the test: #40-David Stremme in Dodge, Mark Green in a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, Hendrick Motorsports' Casey Mears in a Chevrolet and a Dodge with Kyle Petty. NASCAR tickets for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and other DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 events are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)(9-25-2007)
Goodyear Kicks Off Two-Day Car of Tomorrow Test At DIS: The future arrived at Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday as Goodyear kicked off a two-day Car of Tomorrow tire test with five Nextel Cup Series teams in preparation for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17. Drivers that participating in the test include #11-Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing), #38-David Gilliland (Yates Racing), #40-David Stremme (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), #55-Mark Green subbing for Michael Waltrip (Michael Waltrip Racing) and #07-Clint Bowyer (Richard Childress Racing). Rain slowed the first day of testing, which Goodyear is using to test different tire compounds and structures. The morning session of the test was rained out but the teams got on the track just after noon. Intermittent rain showers did slow the afternoon session. This isn't the first time the Car of Tomorrow has been on track at "The World Center of Racing." Earlier this year during Preseason Thunder testing, Penske drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman shook down their
Dodges for a few laps. The Goodyear tire test with the Car of Tomorrow continues on Wednesday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through The Daytona 500 Experience motorsports attraction. NASCAR tickets for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and other DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 events are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)(9-19-2007)
More testing at Nashville: Busch East Driver Joey Logano is testing the #20 and #11 Chevy Car of Tomorrow for Joe Gibbs Racing at Nashville Superspeedway. The two day test, Tuesday, September 18 and Wednesday, September 19 will be gathering information for Dover and Kansas.(NSS PR)(9-18-2007)
Testing at Nashville: Ganassi Racing tested a Car of Tomorrow at Nashville Superspeedway on Monday, September 17. Kevin Hamlin was the driver. Joe Gibbs Racing is schedule to test at Nashville Superspeedway on September 18 and September 19.(NSS PR)(9-17-2007)
Drivers May Test with New Teams at Atlanta: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and J.J. Yeley both know they'll be with new teams next year, and both know where they're headed, but they can't escape their contracts until season's end. There's a possibility they could get a chance to at least test with their future teams in a few weeks [Oct. 29-30 (Monday-Tuesday)], when there's an open trial at Atlanta, though a series of dominos would have to fall if that's to happen. Yeley hopes to test the #96 car that Tony Raines currently rides, which would allow his eventual replacement, Kyle Busch, to steer the Interstate Batteries Chevy, but in order for that to take place Earnhardt would have to be allowed to take Busch's seat in a Hendrick Motorsports machine. Whether that'll happen, however, remains in question. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. president Teresa Earnhardt has already said Regan Smith will test with Junior's current team at Atlanta, but hasn't yet released her stepson to test with Hendrick, so the whole equation may break down and leave the lame ducks with their soon-to-be defunct teams. "The biggest domino is if Teresa will let Dale Jr. go drive for Hendrick," Yeley said. "If that'll happen, I think you're going to see next year's lineup four months in advance, but that comes down to Teresa." (Concord Monitor)(9-16-2007)
Tire Testing for the COT at Daytona on Tues-Wed: NASCAR Car of Tomorrow Goodyear tire testing for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled to be run on Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Sept. 19th. Driviers expected to participate in the test are: #11-Denny Hamlin, #38-David Gilliland, #40-David Stremme, #55-Michael Waltrip and #07-Clint Bowyer.(DIS PR)(9-14-2007)
Testing at Kentucky Sept 17-19: a few Nextel Cup teams will test at Kentucky Speedway next week, Sept. 17-19th. #84-A.J. Allmendinger, #19-Elliot Sadler and
#10-Scott Riggs/Patrick Carpentier are scheduled for Monday the 17th; Allmendinger and #7-Robby Gordon are scheduled for Tuesday and #43-Bobby Labonte is scheduled for Wed. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway site)(9-14-2007)
Cup team test COT's at Talladega Sept 10-11: Oct. 7 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway will be the first restrictor-plate event for the Car of Tomorrow – NASCAR’s next-generation race car that will compete fulltime in 2008 – so next week’s two-day test means preparing to make history. “I think it's going to be a big test,” said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “When you look at Talladega historically, they have had some of the most exciting races and tightest competition. That race track is one of the widest tracks we go to. It is the biggest track we go to. So the races there have historically been great.” A total of 52 series teams will test next Monday and Tuesday on Talladega’s high-banked, 2.66-mile tri-oval. It’s the sixth of seven NASCAR-scheduled series tests in 2007 and the third dedicated to the Car of Tomorrow (previous tests for the new car took place at Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway). Teams are phasing in the new car by running it in 16 of 36 scheduled ’07 events; the Oct. 7 race at Talladega marks the 14th such event. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Director John Darby said the new car will have a considerable, positive effect on teams’ restrictor-plate preparations. Two of the car’s new components – including the splitter just below the front air dam and the rear wing – should allow crew chiefs more restrictor-place tuning options. “Forever, we've had a restrictor-plate car and a short-track and intermediate car,” Darby said of the variations of the current car. “And although I would never walk down the path of being as naive as saying there won't be any differences, the cars will be much, much closer. The differences between the (.526.-mile) Martinsville (Speedway) car and Talladega car will probably be small enough that only a specialist in the field will be able to tell them apart.” Both days’ sessions run from 9am-5pm/ct, weather permitting.(NASCAR PR)(9-9-2007)
Villeneuve tests COT at Kentucky: Jacques Villeneuve continued his preparation for his NASCAR debut by testing Wednesday at Kentucky Speedway. He turned laps for Bill Davis Racing in the new Car of Tomorrow [#27 Toyota]. “Feels great! I’m just getting up to speed and getting used to driving the car,” said Villeneuve during a lunch break. “It is very different than anything I have driven before so I just want it to become natural and its fun.” Villeneuve will use the final seven races of the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series season to prep for Sprint Cup Series competition in 2008. Even though the race trucks and the COT have similar aerodynamics, both are very different from what he has driven in the past. “It is not as responsive. But, the tracks are very different as well. The driving style is different. If it was on a similar type than there would be a huge difference.” Testing continues through-out the fall at the 1.5 mile tri-oval. For the weekly schedule, check www.kentuckyspeedway.com. The testing schedule appears on the home page.(Kentucky Speedway site with images of the car and Villeneuve)(9-6-2007)
Testing at Milwaukee: Nextel Cup teams are testing COT cars at The Milwaukee Mile Wednesday, Sept 5
including:
Red Bull with #83 Brian Vickers & #84 AJ Allmendinger
Evernham Motorsports with #19 Boris Said (2 cars)
Hendrick Motorsports with #5 Kyle Busch [explains why he was not at the Gibbs/Toyota press conf]
Team Penske with #12 with Sam Hornish
Teams indicated they will be testing today only, and no speeds will be recorded.(Milwaukee Mile PR)(9-5-2007)
Testing at Kentucky: Landon Cassill and David Green are testing at Kentucky Speedway for Hendrick Motorsports in their R&D cars on Tuesday and Wednesday this week [Sept 4-5]. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway site)(9-5-2007)
Goodyear to test tires for COT at Daytona next month: Goodyear will conduct a tire test with the car of tomorrow Sept. 18-19 at Daytona International Speedway, a Goodyear spokesman said Wednesday. The restrictor-plate test, which will come a week after NASCAR's open Nextel Cup test at Talladega Superspeedway will include five drivers: Joe Gibbs Racing's #11-Denny Hamlin, Richard Childress Racing's #07-Clint Bowyer, Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing's #38-David Gilliland, Chip Ganassi Racing's #40-David Stremme and Michael Waltrip Racing's #55-Michael Waltrip. It will be the second time this year that a COT has hit the surface at DIS. #12-Ryan Newman and #2-Kurt Busch practiced in a COT during January testing. The first COT race at Daytona will be the 2008 Daytona 500.(SceneDaily.com)(8-31-2007)
Testing done at Iowa Wed: Face time for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been scarce today at Iowa Speedway. So, unfortunately for his team, has been track time. Earnhardt Jr., one of four drivers testing at Iowa Speedway, blew an engine late in the morning and didn't take another spin on the 7/8-mile oval until about 2:30pm. A throng of several hundred fans lined a fenced area near the infield hoping to catch a glimpse of Earnhardt and perhaps snag an autograph or two. That, as of 3:30 p.m., had not happened. Earnhardt Jr. did not address fans or the media before that time. An estimated 4,000 tickets were sold for the two-day "Test Fest," which also included Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard among others.(Des Moines Register) AND: According to estimates, there were about 3,000 fans at the speedway during business hours - 600 of whom crammed into a nook by the garage area, hoping for an autograph. Some wanted to hand over merchandise. Others just wanted a feel. To his credit, Junior stayed out for almost 15 minutes. It was 15 minutes more than many expected - there were no promises for autographs, speedway officials said, and Earnhardt declined to speak to reporters - but only half the fans were close enough to reach him in time.(Des Moines Register) AND II: Edwards addressed reporters during the test session, which ended for his team early in the afternoon. Earnhardt signed autographs for many, but not all, fans assembled along the fan walk at about 4:45pm, but he did not speak to reporters. Neither did Truex and Menard.(Des Moines Register)(8-30-2007)
Testing at Memphis: #2-Kurt Busch and crew tested Tuesday at Memphis Motorsports Park in preparation for upcoming races. The team is going all out, with two transporters and four race cars on hand at the ¾-mile track, which resembles three important “Chase” stops: Richmond – the final race to make the final 12 on Sept. 8 – plus New Hampshire (Sept. 16) and Phoenix (Nov. 11), both pivotal tracks inside the final 10 “Chase.” Busch placed major focus on getting either the PSC-510 (car raced last at Martinsville) or the team’s new PSC-520 Dodge Avenger ready for the Richmond race.(TRPR) AND Michael Waltrip Racing's #44-Dale Jarrett and Penske Driver Sam Hornish also test at Memphis.(Commercial Appeal)(8-30-2007)
Ward tests at short track: been told that #4-Ward Burton had a test session at Lonesome Pine Raceway on Wednesday, Aug 29 in a COT preparing for the upcoming race at Richmond.(8-30-2007)
Four Cup Drivers Participate in Final Day of Goodyear Tire Test at Atlanta: Nextel Cup Series drivers #29-Kevin Harvick, #25-Casey Mears, #9-Scott Riggs and #36-Jeremy Mayfield completed the second of a two-day tire test today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "This track is just awesome like always," Jeremy Mayfield said after climbing from his car. "This is the same good Atlanta track we're used to. We love coming here." Kevin Harvick sat atop the speed charts on the second day of testing with a fast lap of 181.176 mph (30.60 seconds). Harvick was followed by Scott Riggs in the #9 car, Casey Mears and Jeremy Mayfield. Teams used the Goodyear tire test to work car on set-up while testing the tires. Series veteran Mayfield said the test has been very beneficial to his team in particular. "That was the best we have been all year," Mayfield said after completing a morning test session. "We learned a lot yesterday and applied it today. We have something we can be really competitive with here." NASCAR drivers will attempt to tame the blistering speeds of Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Oct. 28 Pep Boys Auto 500. Great seats are still available and can obtained by calling (877) 9-AMS-TIX or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS PR)(8-29-2007)
Four drivers test Goodyear tires at Atlanta: Nextel Cup Series drivers #29-Kevin Harvick [Chevy], #25-Casey Mears [Chevy], #9-Scott Riggs [Dodge] and #36-Jeremy Mayfield [Toyota] participated in the first of a two-day tire test today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Goodyear tested tires on both the Car of Tomorrow and the current model stock car during the eight-hour test. Goodyear tested their tires for wear, heat, grip level and load today. Casey Mears topped the unofficial speed charts with a lap of 183.576 mph (30.20 seconds) in his #25 Chevrolet current car and a lap of 181.770 mph (30.50 seconds) in the #25 COT. Mears was followed by Scott Riggs driving the #9 car, Kevin Harvick and Jeremy Mayfield. "The Car of Tomorrow is a half-second slower than the other cars, but that should make more exciting racing here," Kevin Harvick said. "The COT didn't drive bad at all and fans are going to have to come out here in March and see these new cars for themselves at AMS." NASCAR drivers will attempt to tame the blistering speeds of Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Oct. 28 Pep Boys Auto 500. Great seats are still available and can obtained by calling (877) 9-AMS-TIX or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS PR)(8-28-2007)
Testing at Milwaukee UPDATE: Jeff Burton and the #31 team traveled to the Milwaukee Mile August 27-28 for a test session in preparation for the upcoming short track races remaining on the schedule.(RCR PR) UPDATE: After morning showers Monday, #48-Jimmie Johnson took laps in his Hendrick COT car, as did #31-Jeff Burton for RCR, and Scott Wimmer in the #29 COT car for
RCR. Tuesday featured Landon Cassill working with Chad Knaus with two Hendrick Motorsports COT cars and the return of the two RCR teams and drivers for most of a second day of testing. Haas Automation teammates #70-Johnny Sauter and #66-Jeff Green, along with Joe Gibbs Racing's #11-Denny Hamlin joined in Tuesday at The Milwaukee Mile.(Milwaukee Mile PR)(8-28-2007)
Testing Wednesday in Iowa: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, and #99-Carl Edwards are scheduled to test at Iowa’s Speedway’s “Test Fest” this week in Newton, Iowa. Teams testing Tuesday and Wednesday, August 28 and 29, on the 7/8 mile oval track include Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI), Roush Fenway Racing, and RWI, Inc., the team owned by Rusty Wallace, track designer and former NASCAR champion, now a commentator for ABC/ESPN television. Steven Wallace, competing in Busch Series races this year is also scheduled to test in Iowa, along with Chase Austin, a 17-year-old developmental driver for RWI, Inc. Dale Earnhardt Jr, originally scheduled to appear in Iowa for two days, is now scheduled to test one day only – Wednesday, August 29 – as a result of schedule changes caused by rain delays at Michigan International Speedway last week. The DEI team will be represented by drivers Paul Menard, scheduled to test Tuesday. Earnhardt, Menard, and Martin Truex Jr, are scheduled to test Wednesday. Jeff Earnhardt, the grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr, is also scheduled to test in Iowa. Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray, driving for Roush Fenway Racing, are also scheduled to test at Iowa Speedway. Because of the DEI schedule change all tickets purchased for testing will be honored either test day. Fans are encouraged to contact the Iowa Speedway Box Office for more information regarding scheduling and ticket purchases 641-791-8100. Tickets may also be purchased each day at the gate. The 2-day “Test Fest” offers fans a variety of activities for families and individuals. Food, beverages, music, and door prizes will be part of the festivities…and the first 500 people through the gate each day will receive free souvenirs.(Iowa Speedway site)(8-28-2007)
BDR testing at Iowa: The #22 Caterpillar Racing team of Dave Blaney flew directly from Michigan to Newton, Iowa to spend Wednesday testing at Iowa Speedway.(BDR PR)(8-22-2007)
COT to test at Atlanta in Oct: Nextel Cup Series teams will test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 29-30 (Monday-Tuesday). The two-day test will be with the Car of Tomorrow only and will run the two days following the Pep Boys Auto 500, scheduled for Oct. 28 at the speedway. Teams will test from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. on both days. The test fills in for the previously scheduled May 14-15 test at Dover International Speedway that was cancelled. The cancellation resulted from the Darlington Raceway event scheduled for May 12 being postponed until May 13 due to inclement weather. The next scheduled Nextel Cup Series test is Sept. 10-11 at Talladega Superspeedway.(AMS/NASCAR PR)(8-22-2007)
Atlanta Tire Test UPDATE 2: Goodyear engineer Mark Keto said that the next intermediate track COT tire test will be Aug. 21-22 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tentatively scheduled for that test are #29-Kevin Harvick, #25-Casey Mears, #9-Kasey Kahne, #36-Jeremy Mayfield and #7-Robby Gordon, Keto said.(SceneDaily.com). The session is closed to the public both days(8-12-2007) Atlanta Goodyear testing postponed: The Goodyear Tire Test at Atlanta Motor Speedway On Tuesday, August 21 and Wednesday, August 22 has been postponed due to the oostponement of the Nextel Cup Series Event at Michigan International Speedway. New test dates will be announced at a future date.(AMS PR)(8-20-2007) UPDATE 2: Rescheduled -- In preparation for the upcoming Pep Boys Auto 500 on October 26-28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, #29-Kevin Harvick, #25-Casey Mears, #7-Robby Gordon, #10-Scott Riggs and #36-Jeremy Mayfield will be tire testing for Goodyear at the 1.54-mile track on August 28 and 29. The session is closed to the public both days.(AMS PR)(8-22-2007)
Testing at Milwaukee: Matt Kenseth was at The Milwaukee Mile on Thursday shaking down the super late model car he'll be racing on Sunday, August 26th at The Mile, the morning after racing in the Nextel Cup race in Bristol, TN. Team Red Bull and driver #84-A.J. Allmendinger also stayed over a second day on Thursday to test their Car of Tomorrow, after weather held them to just a handful of laps of practice on Wednesday.(Milwaukee Mile PR)(8-17-2007)
Cup teams testing at Nashville: Testing at Nashville Superspeedway Tuesday-August 14th include Nextel cup Drivers: #99-Carl Edwards, #9-Kasey Kahne, #7-Robby Gordon, #38-David Gilliland and #21-Bill Elliott. Gordon is the only driver confirmed to test Wednesday-August 15th.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(8-14-2007)
Testing at Kentucky: Jeff Green and the #66 Best Buy Racing team are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, August 15, in preparation for this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway.(Best Buy Racing PR), also #4-Ward Burton is scheduled to test at Kentucky on Wed. along with Hendrick development drivers Landon Cassill and Brad Keselowski. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(8-14-2007)
Four drivers battle the heat at Lowe's Motor Speedway tire test: With late-afternoon temperatures approaching 100° and track temperatures exceeding 140°, Nextel Cup Series drivers #12-Ryan Newman, #1-Martin Truex Jr., #83-Brian Vickers and #6-David Ragan tested Goodyear tires Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in preparation for the Bank of America 500 on Saturday night, Oct. 13. Even though the four teams had an eye on 2008 as they tested NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow, a portion of what they learn during the two-day session will apply to the current cars that will be used here this fall. The tire test is scheduled to continue through Tuesday afternoon with the same four drivers expected to once again battle the elements.(LMS PR), no speeds were released.(8-7-2007)
DEI teams testing Iowa: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #15-Paul Menard, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #01-Mark Martin, Jeff Earnhardt, and others are scheduled to be testing Nextel Cup and Busch series cars on August 21-22 at the state-of-the-art 7/8 mile Iowa Speedway oval designed by former NASCAR Champion and ABC/ESPN motorsports commentator, Rusty Wallace. Iowa Speedway President, Stan Clement, says the test dates “offer Iowans and other racing fans the chance to watch world-class NASCAR drivers up close and in person. Earnhardt, Martin, Truex, and Menard – these are some of the most famous names in racing – and these guys will be a lot of fun to watch”. Iowa Speedway officials say tickets go on sale Monday, August 6, with prices at $20 for a single day ticket and $30 for a 2-day ticket. Children 12 and under accompanied by a ticket paying adult will be admitted free. In addition, the first five hundred people in attendance each day will receive a free souvenir gift. Food, beverages, and merchandise will also be on sale.(Iowaspeedway.com)(8-3-2007)
2008 Daytona Testing Dates Announced: Testing dates for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway have
been finalized. The first wave of Sprint Cup Series teams will test in preparation for "The Great American Race" on Jan. 7-9 with Jan. 10 serving as a rain date. The second wave of Sprint Cup Series testing will be Jan. 14-16 with Jan. 17 serving as a rain date. The Sprint Cup Series teams will be split into two groups based on the owner's points following the Sprint Cup race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway [see owners pts after Chicago page]. Among the drivers expected to be in the first wave of teams (odd-numbered teams in the owner's standings) will be Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch. Among the expected drivers in the second wave (even-numbered teams in the owner's standings) are Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr. and Jamie McMurray. Testing dates for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 season, will be announced at a later date.
Other testing dates for Preseason Thunder include:
* Jan. 4-6, Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve in preparation for the 46th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-27, all teams.
* Jan. 11-13, Craftsman Truck Series in preparation for the Feb. 15 Chevy Silverado 250, all trucks
* Jan. 18-22, Busch [New sponsor name for series] Series in preparation for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 presented by Chevrolet, two different sessions
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest dates, which will coincide with January's Sprint Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Busch [new name] Series and Rolex Series testing sessions at the "World Center of Racing," will be held on the following dates:
* Jan. 5: The Roar Before The Rolex 24
* Jan. 8: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 12: Craftsman Truck Fan Fest
* Jan. 15: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 19: Busch [new sponsor name] Series Fan Fest
The Fan Fest events start at 5 p.m. but fans may enter the Sprint Fanzone beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action on those days. Admissions for the Nextel Cup Fan Fest dates are $15 while Busch and Craftsman Truck Series admissions are $10. The Roar Before The Rolex 24 admission is also $10. Fans will be able to get a sneak peek on teams as they prepare for DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 with inquisitive fan forums with many of their favorite drivers as well as enjoying all the state-of-the-art amenities in the popular Sprint Fanzone. Also included in NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations, displays, a silent auction and hot laps around DIS (additional charge). Fans can continue to watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of The Daytona 500 Experience. Tickets for Preseason Thunder Fan Fests are by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)(8-1-2007)
Testing in Kershaw SC: hearing that #15-Paul Menard and Ken Schrader [in an unknown Busch Series car] are testing at the Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC in preparation for the Watkins Glen races coming up. In the last few weeks Ryan Newman, Robby Gordon, Regan Smith, Max Papis, Patrick Carpentier, Mike wallace, Michael Valiente and Alex Garcia have tested a Cup or Busch car at the track.(8-1-2007)
Testing at Kentucky: #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman tested at Kentucky Speedway on Monday July 30th and Tuesday July 21st. David Green is scheduled to test at Kentucky on Wednesday in a Hendrick Motorsports R&D car. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Tom Roberts PR/Kentucky Speedway)(8-1-2007)
Mears and Busch testing at Road Atlanta: On Wednesday, #25-Casey Mears and team will test Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 440 at Road Atlanta, a 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course in Braselton, Ga. Crew Chief Darian Grubb said the team plans to work on the Chevrolet R07 engine package and overall race tuning. Kyle Busch and his #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST crew will also teat Wednesday at Road Atlanta on Wednesday. Both are testing in preparation for the Aug. 12 Nextel Cup event at Watkins Glen International.(HMS PR)(8-1-2007)
Testing at VIR: #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick, #22-Dave Blaney are testing at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) on Tuesday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 1st in preparation for the Montreal Busch race and the Cup/Busch races at Watkins Glen next weekend.(RCR/BDR PRs)(7-31-2007)
Green testing at Road Atlanta: Jeff Green and the #66 Haas CNC Racing team are scheduled to spend Wednesday, August 1, testing at the Road Atlanta road course near Braselton, Ga., in preparation from the upcoming road course race at Watkins Glen International.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(7-31-2007)
Cup teams testing at Memphis: Some Nextel Cup teams are lining up to test at Memphis Motorsports Park. This month in Memphis: the #9 car of Evernham Motorsports on Tuesday, July 31. While NASCAR's current testing policy does not allow Busch and Truck series teams to test in Memphis, there is no limit on Cup team testing at this ¾-mile stand-alone track, which resembles three important "Chase" stops: Richmond - the final race to make the final 12 on Sept. 8 - plus New Hampshire (Sept. 16) and Phoenix (Nov. 11), both pivotal tracks inside the final 10 "Chase" races. Chase Miller, who is currently piloting Evernham's #9 entry in the Busch Series, will test the team's Cup Series "Car of Tomorrow" - the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge - for Kasey Kahne in Memphis. Teams with tentative test dates for August in Memphis include #96-Hall of Fame Racing (Aug. 13), #2/#12-Penske Racing (Aug. 21) and #00/#44/#55-Michael Waltrip Racing (Aug. 28).: Fans can watch testing sessions at the NASCAR oval from Grandstand G at no charge. The garage and infield are not open to the public. Schedules are subject to change daily. Test times vary. NASCAR returns to Memphis Motorsports Park on Oct. 26-27. For Sam's Town 250 tickets and more information, call 866-40-SPEED or visit MemphisMotorsportsPark.com.(Memphis PR)(7-28-2007)
Testing at Milwaukee: History was made Wednesday at The Milwaukee Mile, the world's oldest active speedway, as Joey Logano made his first-ever laps in a Joe Gibbs Racing Nextel Cup Series race car. The Connecticut native logged an estimated 80 laps and returned Thursday to help the team that features drivers Tony Stewart, J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin in gathering critical information for the team's Car of Tomorrow development. No times were reported. Logano is a year too young to compete in NASCAR's top three series, which has a minimum limit of 18 years of age. Logano races in the NASCAR Busch East Series, which allows competitors as early as 16 years of age to compete. Logano also won a NASCAR West Series race at Phoenix International Raceway and has won three Busch East events since and is the current point leader in the Busch East Series after eight races. Also testing at The Milwaukee Mile this week were Evernham Motorsports, Ganassi Racing with driver Kevin Hamlin and Roush Fenway Racing on Wednesday with David Ragan, subbing for the recently injured Carl Edwards. All teams were testing their Car of Tomorrow machines.(Milwaukee Mile PR)(7-27-2007)
Drivers Like New Bristol Surface: #17-Matt Kenseth wasn't all that thrilled when he heard that Bristol Motor Speedway was getting a facelift. He liked the World's Fastest Half-Mile just as it was and wasn't too keen on any changes. On Tuesday, Kenseth was one of 33 drivers who took part in a Busch Series test on the half-mile oval. After being on-track for several hours his reaction to the new concrete surface was a positive one. #12-Ryan Newman, who owns the track record at BMS said he liked the feel of the new surface, as well. #29-Kevin Harvick, who swept both races at Bristol in the spring of 2005, also gave the new concrete high marks.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(7-25-2007)
Thursday Testing at Milwaukee: Richard Childress teams, #07-Clint Bowyer, #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick, are testing at The Milwaukee Mile today [June 28th] in preparation for the race at New Hamphire. No word if they will test all day or just part of it. Free admission to the grandstands (only) Enter Grandstands at Gate 3, turn one seating.(The Milwaukee Mile PR)(6-28-2007)
Testing at Nashville: #10-Scott Riggs tested the Valvoline & Stanley Tools Evernham Motorsports Dodge Charger [not COT] at the Nashville Superspeedway. Evernham Racing rented the 1.33 mile "D" shaped oval track today from 9:00am to 5pm.(6-27-2007)
Testing update from Milwaukee MORE: There were no incidents, no speeds reported from Tuesday test at The Milwaukee Mile. Wednesday and Thursday, Richard Childress is scheduled to be at The Milwaukee Mile with all three cars. Ford teams will run part or all of Wednesday to complete their 2-day test. Other teams may join Wednesday and/or Thursday. Nextel Cup Testing This Week: Wed. June 26, Thurs. June 27, 9:00am until 5:00pm. Free admission to the grandstands (only) Enter Grandstands at Gate 3, turn one seating.(The Milwaukee Mile PR) MORE: Eight teams are testing at the Milwaukee Mile Wednesday, some Ford teams packing up at noon to head to Loudon, NH. RCR intends on testing Thursday (tomorrow), as well.
Wednesday's (today's) roster: Drivers/teams excpected to test one of both days: #07-Clint Bowyer, #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick, #21-Bill Elliott, #6-David Ragan, #26-Jamie McMurray, #7-Robby Gordon and #38-David Gilliland [with Jay Sauter helping](6-27-2007)
Mayfield testing at Thompson to pick a car for NHIS: The #36 360 OTC Racing team will test two cars at Thompson Speedway [CT] Wednesday and will choose between COT 15 and COT 12 as Jeremy Mayfield's primary car for Loudoun once the test is complete. Mayfield's hopes to make his 409th career Nextel Cup Series start at NHIS.(BDR PR)(6-26-2007)
Some Cup teams testing at Milwaukee today: Five Ford teams are testing at the The Milwaukee Mile today in preparation for this weeks race at New Hampshire: #21 Wood Brothers w/Bill Elliott; #6 Roush Fenway w/David Ragan; #26 Roush Fenway w/Jamie McMurray; #7-Robby Gordon and #38 Robert Yates w/David Gilliland. Grandstands open free to spectators until 5pm. No word on which teams will test Wednesday, supposedly RCR will test on Thursday.(6-26-2007)
Testing at Milwaukee this week UPDATE 3: Several Nextel Cup Series teams will be testing at The Milwaukee Mile June 12, 13 and 14 testing the COT in preparation for New Hampshire on July 1st. Teams planning on testing: Hendrick Motorsports #25-Mears and #5-Busch on Tues & Wed., Hall of Fame Racing #96-Raines on Tues & Wed.; Evernham Motorsports #10-Riggs and #19-Sadler on Tues & Wed; Joe Gibbs Racing, unknown car#'s/drivers on Tues & Wed; DEI, unknown car#'s/drivers on Wed & Thu.; Ginn Racing #14-Marlin on Thur.; Roush Fenway Racing #16-Biffle and possibly other teams on Thur.; and Ganassi Racing, unknown car#'s/drivers on Wed & Thur..(PR)(6-12-2007) UPDATE: Drivers team returning to test at Milwaukee on Wed. include: #5-Busch, #25-Mears, #11-Hamlin, #18-Yeley, #20-Stewart, #44-Jarrett, #55-Waltrip and #96-Raines. No speeds reported for Tuesday testing.(6-13-2007) UPDATE 2: Wednesday at The Mile #5-Busch and #25-Mears tested in the morning, Gibbs Racing didn't return after Tuesday's test. Others testing Wed.: #96-Raines, #14-Marlin, #19-w/test driver Chase Miller. Thursday's scheduled teams/drivers: #14-Marlin, #83-Vickers, #84-Allmendinger, #40-Stremme, #41-Sorenson, #16-Biffle and #45-Andretti along with some DEI's team, unknown teams/drivers. Free admission to grandstands 9:00-5:00pm/et more info at milwaukeemile.com.(6-14-2007) UPDATE 3: testing finished up Thursday with Red Bull Racing #83, #84, and Ganassi Racing #40,#41 were both using Hoosier tires on Thursday. DEI [#1,#8,#15] used Hoosiers most of the time on Thursday. Petty Enterprises, Evernham Motorsports, and Roush Racing were on Goodyear Tires every day they were at the track. The fastest unofficial speed was by the #8 with a speed of 117.416mph. The Busch Series track record is 122.474mph.(6-15-2007)
Smith Completes Racing School & Test at Infineon Raceway: #01-Regan Smith completed a one-day racing school and partial-day test session at Infineon Raceway on Tuesday in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Nextel Cup Series weekend, June 22-24. It was Smith's first visit to the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course, where he will attempt to make his first race start later this month. Smith has run a limited schedule this year in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy, starting three Cup Series events. He is also running full-time in the Busch Series. Smith, who shares his Cup ride with Mark Martin, completed a one-day Advanced Racing Course with the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School where he piloted an open-wheel Formula Russell car. Following the school, Smith spent a few hours behind the wheel of a late-model stock car supplied by ShiftIntoGear, Inc. He was coached by road-course specialist Chris Cook. "It was important that I at least see the road course before coming out here to race," said Smith, who is currently ranked fifth in Busch Series points standings. "It seems like I get a little better with each lap. I look forward to coming out here next week." For ticket information on the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 22-24, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com.(Infineon Raceway PR)(6-14-2007)
Terry Labonte testing at Montreal UPDATE: Former NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Terry Labonte will be on the 4.361 km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course today in an NBS stock car to provide feedback to teams who will be taking part on the NAPA 200 race in August on the island. These kinds of tests are normally done by Cup driver Jeff Burton, but with the possibility that Burton may race in the August event, NASCAR decided it give him an unfair advantage over other teams so close to the race date.(Toronto Sun)(6-12-2007) UPDATE: History was made Tuesday when Terry Labonte tested with members of Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) NASCAR Busch Series teams at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in preparation for the inaugural Canadian Busch Series race scheduled for Aug. 4 at the Montreal road course. It was the first time a Busch Series race car has turned a lap on the 13-turn 2.709-mile circuit, which has been home to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix since 1978. The 2007 edition of the race was held last weekend. Labonte drove RCR's #21 AutoZone Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. He made a total of 21 laps (57 miles) with a fast lap of 1:49:86 minutes at an average speed of 105.602 mph. "The test went very well and it was an honor and quite a thrill to drive the first laps here in a NASCAR stock car," said Labonte. "The biggest thing was figuring out the braking points that will be used for the race. We can't get into the corners as deep as the Formula 1 cars. I think there will be at least two good places to pass so track position will be very important but it's the same as Sonoma (Infineon Raceway) or some of the ovals that NASCAR races at." Labonte, retired from fulltime NASCAR competition, was chosen to be the test driver because he will not compete in the Canadian event. All the information collected from the test, including videotape taken of the course from laps in a street-legal sedan, will be shared with every Busch Series team that will participate in the event. RCR did a similar test in January 2005 with driver Jeff Burton prior to the first Busch Series race at Autodromos Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
On hand from RCR were NBS team manager Will Lind, all three Busch Series crew chiefs (Dan Deeringhoff/#2 BB&T, Shane Wilson/#21 AutoZone, and Pat Smith/ #29 Holiday Inn), and crew members from all three teams.(RCR PR)(6-13-2007)
Furniture Row tests road course car in Colorado; VIR next:Pueblo Motorsports Park proved to be a valuable resource for Colorado's lone Nextel Cup Series team Friday. The Denver-based Furniture Row team and its test driver Scott Gaylord spent the afternoon testing the team's car at PMP's 2.2-mile road course. "We came here to do a shakedown," shop manager Dave Hatfield said. "We wanted to use this facility because it is close to home. This is really the only place we can test (in Colorado) and this is a good track." The No. 78 Furniture Row team, which is owned by Englewood businessman Barney Visser, was planning to run 35 laps at PMP in preparation for a more extensive testing session Wednesday and Thursday at Virginia International Speedway in Danville, Va. Kenny Wallace, the team's driver, is scheduled to be at the Danville test.(Pueblo Chieftain)(6-9-2007)
Allmendinger Completes Test at Infineon Raceway: #84-AJ Allmendinger completed a two-day test session at Infineon Raceway on Wednesday in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Nextel Cup Series weekend, June 22-24. It was Allmendinger's first chance to drive a stock car on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course, where he hopes to make his first start later this month. Allmendinger's only previous experience at Infineon Raceway came when he raced a go-kart on the road course many years ago. Allmendinger completed more than 100 laps over the two days behind the wheel of a late-model stock car supplied by ShiftIntoGear, Inc. He was coached by road-course specialist Chris Cook and Tim Fedewa, his full-time spotter on the NASCAR circuit. "Just learning the track will put me much farther ahead of where I would've been," said Allmendinger. "Having only 90 minutes to practice before qualifying on Friday, I never would have made the show. Now, I feel like I've got a pretty good chance." For ticket information on the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 22-24, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com.(PR)(6-7-2007)
Kyle Busch to test at Milwaukee: Kyle Busch and his #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST team will test a new Chevrolet Impala SS at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis., on June 12-13 in preparation for the July 1 Nextel Cup event at New Hampshire International Speedway. Busch is the defending event winner at New Hampshire.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-7-2007)
Blaney to test at VIR next week: #22-Dave Blaney is scheduled to test at Virginia International Raceway next Wednesday, June 13 in preparation for the upcoming road course event at Infineon Raceway.(BDR PR)(6-7-2007)
COT test at California? Or? NASCAR officials are considering asking all Nextel Cup teams to hang around California Speedway for an extra day or two Labor Day weekend for a car of tomorrow test. But that idea isn’t going over well in the NASCAR garage, because every team would have to bring a second hauler cross country with the new cars.(Winston Salem Journal) MORE: NASCAR likely will add another Nextel Cup test later in the season to replace the previously cancelled Dover session, which was dropped after consecutive races in Richmond and Darlington were delayed one day each by rain. NASCAR officials said that teams will be polled to see how much interest there will be in another test later in the season, likely at either a 1.5-mile or 2-mile downforce track. One option, a NASCAR official said, is to go to California Speedway a day early for a Car of Tomorrow test. That track will host a Nextel Cup race weekend Sept. 1-2. But several crew chiefs said they’d prefer a test at a 1.5-mile track closer to home, either at Lowe’s Motor Speedway near Charlotte or Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Ford Racing)(6-2-2007)
Papis tests COT for Hendrick: Max Papis spent Tuesday testing for Hendrick Motorsports as they continued to develop their Nextel Cup Car of Tomorrow road course program. Papis was joined by Hendrick Motorsports' regular drivers and other NASCAR stars at VIR (Virginia International Raceway), taking advantage of the track's test days to prepare for the Sonoma and Watkins Glen races. Papis had a very successful day of testing and enjoyed the opportunity to further prove himself in a NASCAR race car. "It was a fantastic feeling to be on the race track with the four Hendrick Cup drivers," Papis said. "I am glad that I am able to contribute and help them get the best prepared car as possible for the road course tracks. It's an honor to be associated with such a prestigious team." While testing continued at VIR on Wednesday, Papis would have to excuse himself and tend to yet another racing venture as he headed to Mid-Ohio to join his Grand-Am Rolex Series team, Krohn Racing, for a two-day test. While Papis eyes another Grand-Am championship, he is also paying close attention to the business of the NASCAR world and hopes to participate in races yet this season. "Doug (Barnette) has been working on a deal with a successful team for the Montreal race and we are hoping to announce something very soon," Papis said. "We've also had preliminary conversations with other teams regarding other Busch and Cup races, so we are excited at the prospects. I love racing anytime I can get into a race car and NASCAR is just another opportunity for me to showcase my driving ability."(Max Papis site)(6-1-2007)
Tire test sched at Bristol on July 25-26: As work continues on the new concrete surface at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, plans are in place for NASCAR tests, as well as a series of Late Model events, to take place this summer. In preparation for NASCAR’s most popular week of racing, which takes place Aug. 21-25 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Craftsman Truck Series drivers will be the first to give the new oval a workout with a test session on Monday, July 23, followed by a Busch Series test on Tuesday, July 24. Both the Truck and Busch Series’ tests will be open to all teams. Goodyear will then host a tire test for four yet to be determined Nextel Cup teams July 25-26.(BMS PR)(6-1-2007)
NASCAR Might Relax Testing Policy: NASCAR is considering opening up its restrictive testing policy, which several teams already have skirted this season. Currently, rules limit teams to seven tests on Nextel Cup-sanctioned tracks, and crew chiefs help NASCAR decide the venues and dates. NASCAR adopted that policy two years ago to help underfunded teams keep up with big-budget organizations, who could afford to test anytime. But as the Car of Tomorrow was rolled into competition, the top teams found ways to test it outside of the rules. "It appears that we've got teams that want to test more and teams that want to test less, and teams that test on tires that are not made by our tire supplier," Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "So we're going to start looking at a lot of different things, from eventually lifting the test ban completely, or get as restrictive as we cannot let teams test anywhere at any time, or land somewhere in between." NASCAR most likely will relax the restrictions, because it's having a hard time policing teams. More than 20 teams tested Tuesday and Wednesday at Virginia International Raceway, a road course where they could simulate the June 24 race in Sonoma, Calif. Because VIR is not a sanctioned track, any team can go there and still be within NASCAR's guidelines. But teams can't use current Goodyear tires because of a leasing agreement intended to prevent extracurricular testing. To circumvent the lack of available tires, teams have started using other manufacturers for test sessions. They also snapped up much of Goodyear's inventory from 2005 and earlier.(Associated Press)(5-31-2007)
Hornish tests stock car in MIS ARCA test: IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. can't get enough racing these days.
Fresh off a fourth-place finish in last Sunday's Indianapolis 500, the three-time IndyCar Series champion turned a few laps Tuesday in a stock car at Michigan International Speedway. Hornish was preparing for a possible run in the June 15 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at the track. "I'd love to run the ARCA race in June," Hornish said. "I think that getting here for this test is a fairly good indication that we will be
able to run the ARCA RE/MAX Series race." The test with 14 other ARCA drivers marked a new experience for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner. Though this was his first time in a stock car at MIS, Hornish has five IndyCar Series starts at the track. He's no stranger to stock cars on a two-mile oval. Hornish has some seat time in the Busch Series race at California Speedway, the sister track to MIS. Both tracks are similarly configured, but each is unique and some uncertainty, he said, always looms. A Midwest native, Michigan International Speedway is a favorite stop for Hornish. And with three event weekends at MIS that could potentially include Hornish, that's a good thing. Besides next month's ARCA RE/MAX Series race and the Aug. 5 IndyCar Series race at MIS, race fans could also see Hornish competing in the Busch Series CARFAX 250 on Aug. 18. Hornish has a limited stock car schedule for 2007 under his legendary open-wheel team owner Roger Penske that includes a few Busch Series events. He has five Busch Series starts so far this season, and competing in an ARCA race may give Hornish some extra practice and a competitive edge in that series. Tickets for all MIS races, including the Nextel Cup Series Citizens Bank 400 on June 17 and the 3M Performance 400 on August 19, are on sale by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at (800) 354-1010 or by visiting www.MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(5-30-2007)
Cup teams test COT on VIR road course: Nearly 25 NASCAR stars testing the Car of Tomorrow for its road course debut flocked to VIRginia International Raceway Tuesday, taking advantage of the track's test days to prepare for the Sonoma and Watkins Glen
races. The day went almost without incident as #20-Tony Stewart had an engine problem almost as soon as he hit the track in the morning. Then #11-Denny Hamlin had a differential failure late in the day, causing the car to be towed in behind a team truck.
The best lap times of the day, on VIR's 2.25-mile North Course, hovered just under one minute, twenty-nine seconds, but differences in tires and sometimes in time of day, make absolute comparisons meaningless. Several teams had laps around 1:28.8, including #43-Bobby Labonte, #47-Marcos Ambrose, and the Hendrick team's development driver. With the wide variety of tires used, Labonte joked that at Sonoma, at least everyone would be on the same tires. He also expressed hope that they would be "better" than the tires used last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway's Coca Cola 600, where some teams elected not to change tires for one or two fuel stops. Testing continues on Wednesday, with several teams leaving after Tuesday's testing ended, but several more expected. Teams expected to test on
Wednesday include Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, DEI, RCR, Petty, Hall of Fame Racing, Ray Evernham and several others.
VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located just on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. Reopened in 2000, VIR today hosts nearly every kind of motorsport event possible. VIR's next major event is the June 8-10 Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races, where fans can see classic racing cars celebrating the track's fiftieth anniversary. Legendary driver and creator of the Cobra Carroll Shelby has agreed to be Grand Marshal and will be reunited with the Maserati 450S model he drove
to a victory in the track's first feature race. Tickets are available online at the track's web site, www.virclub.com, by logging onto www.etix.com or by calling the track at 434.822.7700.(VIR PR)(5-30-2007)
COT test at VIR REPOST: VIRginia International Raceway is hosting a two-day open test for stock cars on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30. With several top teams slated to attend the road course test sessions, the public is invited to watch many of their favorite teams on the scenic 2.25-mile North Course. Teams planning to participate in the test include Joe Gibbs Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Hendrick Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing, Bobby Ginn Racing, Hall of Fame Racing, Ray Evernham Racing, Richard Childress Racing
and Petty Enterprises. Specific drivers have not yet been confirmed, and these teams may be joined by others as the test dates approach. Public admission to the spectator areas is available for $10, either online at www.etix.com, or by calling the track at 434.822.7700. Testing is scheduled to run between 9:00 both mornings until 5:30 in the afternoon with viewing areas open around the track. More info at www.virclub.com.(VIR PR)(5-14/29-2007)
Ragan to test at Infineon Wed: #6-David Ragan will come to Infineon Raceway for a one-day test session on May
30. As a rookie, Ragan has never competed at Infineon Raceway, but he did visit the track in February for a one-day test in an American Speed Association (ASA) stock car. He ran 40 laps on the road course. "Any road course is going to be pretty tough for me," Ragan said. "I'm just trying to learn the layout of the track." Ragan is expected to test throughout the day on the road course in an ASA stock car. He will be assisted by instructors from the Jim Russell Racing Schools, which is based at Infineon Raceway. Ragan will return to Infineon Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 22-24.(Infineon Raceway PR)(5-25-2007)
Roush Racing test COT at Milwaukee: on Tuesday, Roush Fenway Racing teams of #17-Matt Kenseth and #99-Carl
Edwards put in a full day of Car of Tomorrow testing under sunny skies at The Milwaukee Mile.(PR)(5-23-2007)
Testing at Nashville: A closed-test session Tuesday [no word if it was with the COT or old car] at the Nashville Superspeedway featured #00-David Reutimann, #84-A.J. Allmendinger, #20-Tony Stewart, #14-Sterling Marlin, #38-David Gilliland, Mark Green, #66-Jeff Green, and #88-Ricky Rudd. Hass CNC Racing rented the superspeedway Tuesday, however, Hass allowed other teams to share in the track time (unannounced to the track). Joe Gibbs Racing has rented the facility Wednesday (May 23rd), no word on drivers who will test, the test is closed to the public.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(5-23-2007)
Ganassi Racing testing COT at Gateway: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and driver Reed Sorenson is scheduled for a two day test at Gateway International Raceway Monday May 21 and Tuesday May 22nd. This will be the first NASCAR COT test done at the 1.25-mile oval. Sorenson is no stranger to Gateway as he picked up his second career win in the Busch Series back in 2005. The Busch Series will return to Gateway International Raceway July 21st for tickets go to gatewayraceway.com or you can call 866-35-SPEED.(GIR PR)(5-21-2007)
Andrews tests for DEI been told and confirmed that Tim Andrews, son of #43 crew chief Paul Andrews, tested a DEI Chevy at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, May 15th. Andrews is running a part-time ARCA and Busch East schedule in 2007.(5-17-2007)
Dover test cut back to one day UPDATE 3 cancelled: [Due to the postponement of the race at Darlington to Sunday] A NASCAR spokesman said a scheduled two-day test session scheduled for Dover International Speedway has been cut back to Tuesday [May 15th] only instead of Monday and Tuesday.(Gaston Gazette)(5-13-2007) UPDATE: on SPEED's NASCAR Raceday, it was mentioned a few times that the COT test at Dover has been postponed and will not occur Monday or Tuesday [May 14-15th], no word on when the rescheduled test will be run. UPDATE 2: Due to the schedule change at Darlington Raceway this weekend (with inclement weather postponing the race until Sunday afternoon), there will not be a Nextel Cup Series test this week at Dover International Speedway. The test was scheduled to be Monday and Tuesday. NASCAR will visit with the teams regarding the possibility of rescheduling this test.(NASCAR PR)(5-13-2007) UPDATE 3: The Monday and Tuesday tests at Dover International Speedway were canceled, due to the postponement of the Darlington race, and will not be made up. NASCAR officials might consider adding a Car of Tomorrow test at a 1.5-mile track late in the season with the governing body leaning toward going to a full COT schedule in 2008.(ESPN.com)(5-14-2007)
Testing at the Rock: hearing the #21 Wood Brothers team is testing at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Tuesday, May 8th.(5-8-2007)
Cup, Busch, Truck teams test dates at Lowe's Motor Speedway set: Testing sessions for Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series teams have been scheduled at Lowe's Motor Speedway in preparation for the track's calendar of May races, including the May 19 Nextel All-Star Challenge and the May 27 Coca-Cola 600. Each division will participate in a two-day testing session with a third day reserved in case of rain. The Nextel Cup Series is scheduled to test on Monday, May 7 (2-9pm/et) and Tuesday, May 8 (1-9pm/et) with May 9 as a Rain Date); the Craftsman Truck Series is scheduled to test on May 10-11 (9am-9pm/et; May 12 Rain Date); and the Busch Series is scheduled to test May 14-15 (1-9pm/et; May 16 Rain Date). During each testing session, Lowe's Motor Speedway's frontstretch grandstand will be open free of charge and fans should enter through Gate 5A, located next to the main ticket office.(LMS PR)(5-1/7-2007)
Teams testing at New Smyrna: two Nextel Cup teams testing ay New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. Joe Gibbs Racing arrived at the half-mile track Tuesday with two haulers, three [COT] Nextel Cup Chevy, three drivers (including Tony Stewart) and more than a dozen mechanics. Bill Davis Racing was represented by its #36 Toyota, with Jeremy Mayfield at the wheel, and the #5 Tundra truck raced by Mike Skinner. All the stock cars were of the Car of Tomorrow variety. It's the first time in recent memory that NASCAR Cup teams have tested at New Smyrna, which is sanctioned by FASCAR. The two sanctioning bodies have no connection. Skinner's team had booked the track and the others piggy-backed their way into the facility. Today's session is closed to the public. Aric Almirola was behind the wheel of the #18, normally driven by J.J. Yeley. Mike McLaughlin was assisting Stewart with a pair of #20 Chevys. Gibbs Racing was going to test at a short track in Georgia, but decided to try New Smyrna at the last minute. Joining in the test session was Jamie Skinner, Mike's son, who was driving a FASCAR Late Model. At one point during the afternoon a truck, Cup car and Late Model were on the course at the same time. Mayfield has struggled this season in his new Toyota ride. Without owner's points from last season, he has failed to make six grids through nine Cup events. He hopes this test session helps him conquer the next Cup race, scheduled Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway. "This is the first time I've been around here in a racecar," Mayfield said. "It's a neat little track. I think we've picked up some information." Gibbs Racing plans to return here for more testing in the fall.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(5-2-2007)
Testing at Nashville: DEI Driver #15-Paul Menard and #55-Derrike Cope/Michale Waltrip tested the car of tomorrow (COT) at Nashville Superspeedway on Tuesday.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(5-2-2007)
Kenny Wallace to test at the Rock: #78-Kenny Wallace said on SPEED's Victory Lane show, that he and the #78 Furniture Row team are testing a COT at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Monday, April 30th in preparation for Darlington on May 12th.(4-30-2007)
Robby tests at VIR: #7-Robby Gordon tested at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) on Wednesday, April 25th in preparation for the road coaurse race at Infineon Raceway.(4-27-2007)
Newman testing at the Rock: #12-Ryan Newman is scheduled to test at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC on Tuesday, May 1st.(Penske PR)(4-26-2007)
Tire Test at Indy over: Nextel Cup Series drivers #44-Dale Jarrett, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #43-Bobby Labonte and #88-Ricky Rudd participated in a Goodyear tire test April 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the 14th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 29. No speeds or incidents reported. Tickets are on sale for the 14th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, scheduled for Sunday, July 29. Tickets can be purchased at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Web site, indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by phone or at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office. The IMS Ticket Office can be contacted at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally. Ticket Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.(IMS PR)(4-25-2007)
Waltrip tests at Nashville: Michael Waltrip Racing was testing at Nashville Superspeedway Monday and Tuesday [April 23-24]. Despite cloudy skies and scattered showers; Waltrip was able to test the #55 NAPA Toyota. The 1.33 mile concrete track continues to be a popular testing facility for Nextel Cup Drivers. Nashville Superspeedway is preparing for its second Busch Series race of 2007 scheduled for Saturday, June 9.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(4-25-2007)
Testing at Iowa today: #36-Jeremy Mayfield and Joe Gibbs Racing representative Mike McLaughlin plan to turn some laps today [Tuesday, April 24] at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa — weather permitting. Mayfield drives for Bill Davis Racing. McLaughlin, who used to race for Joe Gibbs Racing, now serves primarily as a tester and mentor. Iowa Speedway's public viewing area is open for those interested in seeing the cars on the 7/8-mile asphalt oval track.(Des Moines Register)(4-24-2007)
Harvick testing at VIR: #29-Kevin Harvick and the RCR ream are scheduled to test at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), a road course, on Wednesday, April 25th in preparation for the June Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.(RCR PR)(4-24-2007)
Newman testing at VIR: #12-Ryan Newman is scheduled to test at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), a road course, on Wednesday, April 25th.(Penske PR)(4-24-2007)
Green testing at Kentucky: #66-Jeff Green is scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday April 25th. On the same day an Indy Pro Series team is scheduled to test.(Kentucky Speedway)(4-24-2007)
Mears/Stewart test at Kentucky: #25-Casey Mears transitioned from the Car of Tomorrow to a conventional version of his #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy during a one-day test at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday and may have found the spark he'll need to have a strong performance at Texas Motor Speedway this Sunday. Mears and his team led by crew chief Darian Grubb found valuable speed in a new car that should help the driver improve on his average 29th-place race finish through the first six events of the season.
#20-Tony Stewart tested his Texas Motor Speedway back-up car at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday. Stewart was on a compressed schedule that did not allow for interview.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(4-12-2007)
Stewart and Mears to test at Kentucky: #20-Tony Stewart and #25-Casey Mears are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, April 10 [not 3rd as posted before]. Test sessions begin at 9:00am and conclude at approximately 5:00pm. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway)(4-2-2007)
Raines tests at Caraway: #96-Tony Raines and the Hall of Fame Racing Team headed to Caraway on Tuesday, March 27, to shake down the #96 DLP HDTV Chevy Impala SS [COT] in preparation for Sunday's Goody's Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Both tracks are similar in layout, and Raines is hoping the one-day test session will lead to a productive weekend at Martinsville. Officials from DLP HDTV donated 80 tickets for this weekends Goody's Cool Orange 500 to members of the Virginia Army National Guard and their families.(HOF Racing)(3-29-2007)
Testing at Greenville: many teams tested recently at Greenville Pickens Speedway in S.C. including #18-J.J. Yeley [3/27], #41-Reed Sorensen [3/27], #84-A.J. Allmendinger [3/28-3/29].(3-29-2007)
Schrader testing at Caraway: In preparation for Martinsville, Ken Schrader the #21 Little Debbie Ford decided to test at Carraway Speedway on Tuesday, March 27th. Schrader needs to race his way into the field at Martinsville as the team is not in the top 35 in owners points.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(3-27-2007)
Jarrett to test at Kentucky: Michael Waltrip Racing driver #44-Dale Jarrett is scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway Tuesday, March 27. Test sessions begin at 9:00am and conclude at approximately 5:00pm. Mark Green tested the #44 on Monday. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-26-2007)
Menard tests COT at South Boston: #15-Paul Menard tested the Car of Tomorrow at South Boston Speedway (Wednesday, March 21st). While the focus of the test was to prepare for next weekend's event at Martinsville, a secondary goal was to improve DEI's
overall COT program.(co-Pilott.com PR)(3-22-2007)
DEI testing at South Boston? been told that DEI is testing the COT [Car of Tomorrow/Today] today [Tuesday, Mar 20th] at South Boston Speedway [VA] with #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #1-Martin Truex Jr. supposedly doing the testing. Confirmed Dale Jr. tested, but Truex Jr did not.(3-20-2007)
Montoya allowed to test at Darlington Tire test: As if the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. needed any more headaches after 39 spins and accidents last week at Las Vegas, the company got even more criticism this week when Juan Pablo Montoya was allowed to do a tire test at the Darlington Raceway. Goodyear routinely conducts tire tests. It randomly invites drivers, but Montoya was allowed to drive although he wasn't on Goodyear's list. The test at Darlington was important because that race will feature the new Car of Tomorrow. Goodyear invited #24-Jeff Gordon, #22-Dave Blaney, #41-Reed Sorenson and #16-Greg Biffle, but Montoya showed up and was allowed to drive Sorenson's car. Goodyear said Montoya had NASCAR's blessing. NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said NASCAR allowed Montoya, a rookie, to drive because he's never been at Darlington. Montoya's appearance at Darlington may prove to be a one-time exception. NASCAR said invited drivers are the only people who will be allowed to test in the future.(Savannah Morning News)(3-18-2007)
Kyle Busch to test at Caraway next week UPDATE and Mears: Kyle Busch and his #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST team will test [a COT] March 20 at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC, to prepare for the April 1 Nextel Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-16-2007) UPDATE: Casey Mears and the #25 National Guard/GMAC team are testing a COT at Caraway as well on Tuesday (3/20) to prepare for Martinsville.(HMS)(3-17-2007)
Goodyear tests at Darlington: #24-Jeff Gordon, #22-Dave Blaney and #41-Reed Sorenson tested tires at Darlington on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Sorenson's teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, took his first laps on the track in Sorenson's car. Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said there is no problem with Montoya getting a partial test because Goodyear controls tire tests.(Thatsracin)(3-15-2007)
COT Test at Richmond open to public: Fans will have an opportunity to catch virtually all of the Busch and Nextel Cup Series drivers at Richmond International Raceway March 27-28 and April 3-4 during official test sessions-which are free and open to the public-in preparation for the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI (Friday, May 4) and The Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 (Saturday, May 5) at America's Premier Short Track. For Busch Series fans, their favorite drivers from America's number two motorsports series will test on Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The following week, Nextel Cup Series drivers will test the Car of Tomorrow [by then it will be the Car of Today] on Tuesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 4 from 1:00 p.m. to
9:00 p.m. The Nextel Cup Series test will be the drivers' first official opportunity to drive the Car of Tomorrow (COT) at Richmond International Raceway. Both 2007 Nextel Cup Series races at America's Premier Short Track-the Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 and Chevy Rock & Roll 400-will feature the Car of Tomorrow. The Grandstands will be open all four days from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
and there is no charge for admission. While these test sessions are open and free to the public, tickets are still available for both NASCAR races at Richmond International Raceway May 4-5. A limited amount of tickets remain for the Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 Nextel Cup Series race (Saturday, May 5) and the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI NASCAR Busch Series
race (Friday, May 4)-both "under the lights." For tickets and information, please call 1-866-455-7223 or visit www.rir.com(RIR PR)(3-15-2007)
MWR tests COT at Rockingham: on ESPN2's NASCAR Now, Michael Waltrip said he and #44-Dale Jarrett were testing the Car of Tomorrow [COT] at Rockingham [North Carolina Speedway] and the #00-David Reutimann would be testing there on Wednesday, March 14th.(3-14-2007)
DEI Testing at Kentucky on Tuesday: Dale Earnhardt, Inc., driver Kerry Earnhardt is scheduled to lead research and development efforts during a one-day test at Kentucky Speedway Tuesday, March 13. Fans can view test sessions for free from the designated area outside the speedway Sparta, Ky., Fan Center. Sessions usually begin at 9:00 a.m., and end at 5:00 p.m. Times will vary based on team goals and driver schedules.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-12-2007)
Kentucky testing UPDATE 2: the following drivers/teams are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway: #55-Michael Waltrip on Monday, March 5th; #12-Ryan Newman on Tuesday, March 6th; #1-Martin Truex Jr. on Wednesday, March 7th. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway site)(3-3-2007) UPDATE: The Michael Waltrip Racing test scheduled for today at Kentucky Speedway has been cancelled.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-5-2007) UPDATE 2: The Dale Earnhardt, Inc., test session for driver #1-Martin Truex, Jr., today at Kentucky Speedway was cancelled.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-7-2007)
Goodyear tire testing at Darlington: Goodyear will conduct a tire test at Darlington Raceway on March 13 and 14. The test is closed to the public. The drivers participating in the test are #24-Jeff Gordon, #22-Dave Blaney and #41-Reed Sorenson. All three teams will be bringing the Car of Tomorrow [COT].(Darlington Raceway PR)(3-6-2007)
Kurt Busch testing COT at local NC track: #2Kurt Busch, crew chief Roy McCauley and the Miller Lite/Penske Racing Dodge team are testing today (Tuesday, 3/6) at Southern National Raceway Park, a four-tenths-mile asphalt oval located near Kenley, N.C. "We're going the extra mile in preparing for the upcoming races, particularly for the Car of Tomorrow debut in the March 25 race at Bristol," Busch explained. "We tested at Bristol last week (Feb. 28-March 1) and felt like we needed more track time with our new Dodge Avenger (the COT). We're hoping to be at the top of our game with the new Dodge Avenger and getting the additional track time is very important. Just from the short-term impact, we're talking about three of four races where we're racing the car between Bristol and Phoenix. You could say that the next few weeks could play out to be the most important and pivotal of the 2007 season."(Tom Roberts PR)(3-6-2007)
Yeley tests at the Rock: on Wednesday, #18-J.J. Yeley tested his #18 Joe Gibbs racing Chevy, no word if it was a COT or a regualr car.(2-23-2007)
Newman testing at Nashville: Penske Racing will be at Nashville Superspeedway Wednesday, February 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Ryan Newman as the driver.(NSS PR)(2-20-2007)
Testing at Nashville: Richard Childress Racing will be testing Thursday, February 15 at the Nashville Superspeedway. The test will take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Timothy Peters will be driving the test cup car. Evernham Motorsports Dodge Driver Erin Crocker is tested Wednesday.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(2-15-2007)
DEI Testing at Lakeland? hearing DEI is testing at USA Speedway in Lakeland FL, supposedly #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr and #1-Martin Truex Jr. are testing and #15-Paul Menard may be testing too.(2-5-2007) UPDATE: Menard is not in Lakeland testing, but is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway testing a Busch car.(2-5-2007)
Bristol COT Testing open to public: With NASCAR debuting the Car of Tomorrow [COT] during the Food City 500 weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway March 23-25, Nextel Cup teams will be visiting the famed half-mile oval in advance to put the new car through its paces. The Feb. 28-March 1 COT test session, which is expected to feature nearly every Nextel Cup team, will be open to the public both days. The test sessions will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm/et. An hour break in on-track action is scheduled from noon to 1:00pm/et each day. Fans wishing to watch the test sessions will enter BMS through the South entrance and will enter the backstretch grandstands through Gate 6. Parking will be in the lot directly across from Gate 6. Spectator gates will open at 8:45am. both days. Concessions also will be available for spectators. Tickets for the races are available online at www.bristoltix.com or may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS PR)(1-31-2007)
Testing at Nashville UPDATE 2: Michael Waltrip Racing and #44-Dale Jarrett are scheduled to be testing today [Jan 19th] at the Nashville Superspeedway. And on Monday and Tuesday (January 22 & 23) scheduled testing includes Penske Racing's #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman.(Nashville Superspeedway), no word if they are testing COT's regular car or what tires they will run.(1-19-2007) UPDATE: Testing continued Monday at the Nashville Superspeedway Penske Racing's #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman tested Monday and are testing Tuesday on the 1.33-mile "D"-shaped oval concrete track. . Petty Enterprises Team #45 will test at Nashville on Wednesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 25.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(1-23-2007) UPDATE 2: Petty Enterprise and Kyle Petty will be testing the #45 Dodge at the Nashville Superspeedway today.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(1-24-2007)
DEI Using Hoosier at Lakeland UPDATE 2: A top DEI official stated Monday afternoon that the company would be using Hoosier tires on at least one car they will test at Lakeland Speedway later this week. One of the burning questions since Goodyear started leasing, instead of selling, tires to race teams was where would the teams to get tires to test with away from the seven official NASCAR test sessions. While it was widely speculated teams would turn to Hoosier for the tires needed to test, most teams had a sufficient stockpile to get them through the 2006 season. A DEI executive confirmed Monday that organization's stockpile was almost gone. In fact, it was low enough that at least one of the their teams testing at Lakeland Speedway later this week would do so on Hoosier tires. "It's working," said the executive of NASCAR's desire to reduce the amount of testing teams could do away from the official tests. "The lack of tires has forced us to rethink how we test and what we test. At Lakeland we won't be able to compare one car against another. We'll look more to establish a baseline and then gauge our improvement based on the incremental speeds after each change. How that will relate to a race set-up we just don't know yet."(Circletrackplus.com)(1-15-2007) UPDATE: hearing that #25-Casey Mears, an Hendrick Motorsports unmarked Chevy COT, the #20 Home Depot team [no idea on driver] and an unmarked Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy COT tested at USA Speedway/Lakeland on Wednesday and were running Hoosier Tires. AND #5-Kyle Busch will test Hendrick Motorsports' COT today at Lakeland.(St Petersburg Times)(1-18-2007) UPDATE 2: #5-Busch was joined at Lakeland Thursday by #24-Jeff Gordon...both COT testing.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show); AND hearing all three DEI teams were there testing COT with the Dale Earnhardt Jr, Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard. Bill Davis Racing's #36-Jeremy Mayfield tested a Toyota COT and will be back on Friday. Hendrick Motorsports tested with #25-Mears, #5-Busch and Gordon in an un-numbered Hendrick Chevy Impala.(1-19-2007)
Penske tests at Nashville: Penske Racing Team Drivers #12-Ryan Newman and #2-Kurt Busch tested Thursday at
the Nashville Superspeedway. The 1.33-mile "D"-shaped concrete oval was used for testing Newman's #12 Dodge Cup Car and Busch's #2 Dodge Cup Car. The test was rained out at approximately 3:15. Testing will not resume tomorrow. The test was closed to all media and fans.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(1-5-2007)
More testing at Kentucky Speedway: #19-Elliott Sadler, #10-Scott Riggs and #55-Michael Waltrip were scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, Jan 3rd and #21-Ken Schrader and #21-Jon Wood are scheduled to test there on Tues. January 9th. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentuckyspeedway.com)(1-4-2007)
Hendrick team testing COT: Hendrick Motorsports has been testing the Chevy Impala SS COT [Car of Tomorrow] most this week at Greenville Pickens Speedway. David Green has been the driver during the test.(12-15-2006)
Testing at Memphis: NASCAR insiders know that there is no such thing as an “off season.” Just ask #2-Kurt Busch, #12-Ryan Newman and #99-Carl Edwards, whose teams and cars are testing this month at Memphis Motorsports Park. Kurt Busch tested in Memphis in August in advance of the stretch run to the Chase for the Cup, and was back for a two-day test this week with Penske Racing South teammate Ryan Newman and the team’s #2 and #12 Cars of Tomorrow. Carl Edwards / R.E. Technologies Racing – a Memphis-based USAC team – tested at their “home” track on Dec. 8, in advance of the Dec. 13 PRA Big Car Championship 100 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla. While Edwards’ schedule conflicted with the test, he was represented by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as well as Edwards’ brother, Kenny, who made his first official foray onto a paved oval.(Memphis Motorsports Park PR)(12-15-2006)
Testing at Nashville: been told #55-Michael Waltrip, #00-David Reutimann and #31-Jeff Burton were testing on Wednesday, Dec 13th at Nashville Superspeedway AND also....Darrell Waltrip was helping brother Michael by testing a Toyota Camry.(12-14-2006)
Drivers to Test at Kentucky: According to the Kentuky Speedway site, some Nextel Cup and Busch series teams will be testing there this week, including #4-Ward Burton for Morgan-McClure Motorsports [looks like he will be back in that ride in 2007?] on Tuesday Dec 12th; Busch Series driver #70-Justin Diercks on Weds Dec 13th; #26-Jamie McMurray on Thurs Dec 14; and #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs on Friday Dec 15th. Also scheduled to test next week: on Monday [12/18] #9-Kasey Kahne and #10-Scott Riggs; on Wednesday [12/20] #22-Dave Blaney and #72-Brandon Whitt [will also test Thurs 12/21]. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentuckyspeedway.com)(12-12-2006)
Crash cuts Goodyear test short for Biffle at Vegas UPDATE Biffle injured: Testing tires is pretty boring stuff for most drivers, but this week's two-day Goodyear test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway left Kyle Busch excited and Greg Biffle with a headache. The two drivers spent Wednesday and Thursday testing tires to help the tire manufacturer find the proper tire combination for the new 20-degree banking at LVMS. It will determine which tires Goodyear brings back for the NASCAR-sanctioned test Jan. 29-30 as well as for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup event on March 11. "There are a lot of neat characteristics to the track," said Busch, a Las Vegas native. "It's still pretty wide and a great racing surface. It's wide enough that we'll be able to run two and three wide. The transitions from the corner to the straightaways and then the straightaways to the corners are awesome. It's a great layout." Biffle said Wednesday that he is looking forward to racing on the new layout. But his test ended early on Thursday when he made hard contact with the wall between turns one and two. The impact knocked the fuel pump off the car and made for a fiery scene. Busch, who was closely following Biffle, helped the veteran driver from his car. Biffle wasn't injured, but decided to discontinue testing for the day. "That was a really hard hit and we lost a good car," Biffle said. "But I'm O.K." Unofficially, the drivers were clocked at speeds near 187 miles per hour, but Biffle said that may pick up to closer to 190 once the Nextel Cup teams start qualifying in March. Kasey Kahne holds the track qualifying record of 174.904 mph set in 2004. Tickets for the March 9-11 NASCAR Weekend are on sale by calling 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.co. Passes for the new Neon Garage and pre-race activities passes also are available through the ticket office.(LVMS PR)(12-8-2006) UPDATE: Statement from Greg Biffle Regarding On-Track Incident At Vegas Test: "During a tire test this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway I cut a right front tire and made heavy contact with the wall. As a result of the incident, I dislocated my shoulder and have been advised by my doctors to remain in Mooresville [NC] today for further assessment of the injury. It is for that reason that I will be unable to attend this year's NASCAR Busch Series Banquet. I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to NASCAR, the Busch Series and Ameriquest for my absence. It was a privilege and a great pleasure for me to continue to be a competitor for Roush Racing, Ameriquest, Brewco Motorsports and Ford Motor Company in NASCAR's Busch Series this season. I love racing in the Busch Series and I plan to continue to do so for many years."(Roush Racing PR)(12-9-2006)
Biffle/Kyle Busch to test Goodyear tires at Las Vegas:: Las Vegas Motor Speedway's new high banks will be tested by Nextel Cup cars for the first time this week. #5-Kyle Busch and #16-Greg Biffle will participate in a two-day tire test for Goodyear on Wednesday and Thursday [Dec 6&7]. It will mark the first time Nextel Cup cars have turned hot laps on the superspeedway since the banking in the turns was raised from 12 degrees to 20 degrees and the entire tri-oval was repaved. Goodyear engineers will use this test to help determine a tire compound to be used in the March 11 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. This test also will determine the tire race teams will use during the NASCAR-sanctioned test for all Nextel Cup teams Jan. 28-29. Tickets as well as Neon Garage and pre-race activities passes are available for the March 9-11 NASCAR Weekend by calling 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.com.(LVMS PR)(12-5-2006)
Testing at Lakeland: #43-Bobby Labonte, #55-Michael Waltrip and #10-Scott Riggs tested cars of tomorrow
yesterday [12/4] at Lakeland tested COT's [Car of Tomorrow] at USA International Speedway in Lakeland FL, not sure if they will cvontinue to test anymore today or this week.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(12-5-2006)
