Atlanta Testing: Stacy Compton had the fastest car Tuesday in the second of two days of testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Compton, a regular on the Craftsman Truck Series who will drive the #9 Ford of Melling Racing Enterprises in the final three Winston Cup races, was clocked at 189.600mph. Other Winston Cup drivers practicing at the track for the season-ending NAPA 500 on Nov. 21 were #94-Bill Elliott(186.666mph), #12-Jeremy Mayfield(186.666) and #50-Ricky Craven(182.970)(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) also #31-Mike Skinner had a speed of 186.666mph and #30-Andy Hillenburg was at 184.800mph(SpeedNet)(11-3-1999)
Atlanta Testing: Bill Elliott was the fastest in testing Monday at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a fast lap of 187.932mph. Meanwhile, Mike Skinner, Jeremy Mayfield and Andy Hillenburg(#30) all went 185.418mph while Ricky Craven had a speed of 183.576mph and Stacy Compton went 180.586mph. Testing conintues Tuesday(SpeedNet/Mike Snow)(11-2-1999)
Atlanta Testing: Jimmy Spencer was the fastest of the four Winston Cup teams on hand Wednesday at AMS, traveling 189.210mph. #11-Brett Bodine, #25-Wally
Dallenbach and #60-Geoffrey Bodine also tested, with Geoffrey Bodine turning laps in both his 1999 and 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlos(News and Observer)(10-29-1999)
Wednesday Homestead Testing: Rusty Wallace raised the unofficial Homestead-Miami Speedway NASCAR
Winston Cup record Wednesday in testing for the Nov. 11-14 Pennzoil 400 presented by Kmart. Wallace ran a lap of 153.54 mph (35.17 seconds) in the #2-Miller Lite Ford, bettering David Green’s day-old mark of 153.366 mph. Other NASCAR Winston Cup drivers to test in the incident-free session were #18-Bobby Labonte, #43-John Andretti, #94-Bill Elliott, #50-Ricky Craven, #9-Stacy Compton and #61-Bob Strait. Gus Wasson and Hank Walker Jr. also tested NASCAR Busch Series cars in preparation for the Nov. 13 HotWheels.com 300 at Miami. Even though he came out second quickest, Green was smiling after completing his two-day session in the Tyler Jet Motorsports 10-10-345 Pontiac. Green will be doing double duty when he returns, piloting the new Hispanic Racing Team entry in the HotWheels.com 300 at Miami.(Homestead-Miami Speedway Newsletter)(10-27-1999)
Tuesday Homestead Testing: #45-David Green set the quickest time, followed closely by #2-Rusty Wallace, #18-Bobby Labonte and #43-John Andretti in a private testing session Tuesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in preparation for the Nov. 11-14 Pennzoil 400 presented by Kmart. Green ran a quick lap of 153.366 mph in the Tyler Jet Motorsports 10-10-345 Pontiac on the 1.5-mile oval. The official track record will be established on Friday, Nov. 12, in qualifying for the debut of NASCAR Winston Cup competition in South Florida. Wallace, Labonte and Andretti all turned laps in the mid-152 mph range. Other Winston Cup drivers testing were #94-Bill Elliott, #50-Ricky Craven, #9-Stacy Compton and #61-Bob Strait. Testing Busch Series cars in preparation for the Nov. 13 HotWheels.com 300 were #38-Hut Stricklin, #14?-Jimmy Morales and #53-Hank Parker Jr. The only incident came late in the afternoon when Mexican Busch Series hopeful Jimmy Morales spun and impacted the wall in turn four. He was unhurt, but the Felix Sabates-owned car sustained rear-end damage(Homestead-Miami Speedway Newsletter)(10-27-1999)
Atlanta Testing: I hear a few teams tested at Atlanta Motor Speedway Monday. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, #15-Derrick Cope, #93-Dave Blaney, #16-Kevin LePage and #97-Chad Little. Other teams scedhuled are #23-Jimmy Spencer, #25-Wally Dallenbach, and #01-Ron Hornaday. #41-TBA and #60-Geoffrey Bodine test on Tuesday. #11-Brett Bodine tests on Wednesday and Thurday. On Nov 1-2, #12-Jeremy Mayfield, #31-Mike Skinner, #94-Bill Elliott and #50-Ricky Craven test(AMS Site)(10-25-1999)
Homestead Testing: #1 Pennzoil Chevy driver Steve Park teamed up with a new BGN team, while former CTS regular Boris Said tested the #14 Irvan-Simo Ford at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Wednesday. Said plans to run in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Kmart. Park joined Ron Hornaday and Steve Grissom in testing for the Nov. 13 HotWheels.com 300 at Miami, the 1999 NASCAR Busch Series finale. Park plans to do double-duty in Miami, and will also drive a Chevrolet owned by Ted Marsh. Steve Grissom concluded his first test in the #11 Rayovac Ford, which is co-owned by Winston Cup Series points leader Dale Jarrett and Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(10-21-1999)
Testing: #98-Rick Mast, #45-David Green and a Roush test car with primer #97 on it tested Thursday at Greenville Pickens(SC) in preparation for Martinsville. #1-Steve Park finished up testing at Talladega on Thursday(10-1-1999)
Testing at Talladega: Six Cup teams tested at Talladega on Tuesday as part of a two-day test in preparation for the Winston 500 in Oct. The six teams are #44-Kyle Petty; #1-Steve Park; #30-Jeff Green; #98-Rick Mast; #75-Ted Musgrave and #16-Kevin Lepage(Winston Cup Today Radio)(9-29-1999)
Testing at Greenville Pickens: Several teams have gone to Greenville-Pickens Speedway or will go there this week to test before this weekend's race at Martinsville. Monday, Rick Mast and Team SABCO had their session rained out. Rain limited Tuesday's session but #5-Terry Labonte, #4-Bobby Hamilton and BGN driver Tim Fedewa each ran. Fedewa drove the #91 LJ Racing Chevy. #20-Tony Stewart was scheduled to test Tuesday but his team left before the rain stopped. Stewart is expected to test there Wednesday along with #21-Elliott Sadler, #50-Ricky Craven, #97-Chad Little, #66-Darrell Waltrip, #77-Robert Pressley and Hamilton. #45-David Green is scheduled to test Thursday. Among the drivers who tested at Greenville-Pickens last week were #55-Kenny Wallace and #05-Morgan Shepherd(The Depot)(9-29-1999)
Testing: Ron Hornaday tested Tuesday at Martinsville(VA) Speedway in preparation for the NAPA AutoCare 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race on Oct. 3. Hornaday, who is in his final season in the CTS, will be moving on to the BGN Series next season(#3 NAPA Chevy). Hornaday is driving two races this season in the Winston Cup Series for #01 Team Sabco -- last week in Richmond, Va., and next month at Martinsville(SpeedNet)(9-15-1999)
Martinsville Testing: Test Schedule for the NAPA AutoCare 500 on Sunday, October 3 at Martinsville Speedway. (There are normally additional teams on each test date, but they don't know who else will test on each date. The team listed is the team which has rented the track.) September 14-15: Sabco Racing, Ron Hornaday and September 21-22: Larry Hedrick Motorsports, David Green(Martinsville Newsletter)(9-14-1999)
Lowes Testing UPDATE: In preparation for UAW-GM Quality 500 week, Oct. 6-10, several Cup and BGN teams will participate in two days of open testing Tuesday and Wednesday at Lowes Motor Speedway starting at 4pm/et(LMS Site) no teams mentioned but Richard Petty will be there and many activities will take place(9-6-1999) -- SPEEDS: NOL Posted the speeds for the BGN cars and the two Cup cars from Tuesday's testing, see them at: Hamilton Jr. paces test at LMS, the two Cup drivers speeds: #5-Labonte and #15/62 Derrike Cope both are listed at 180mph(9-9-1999)
Lowes Testing: have not heard any speeds for the Tuesday testing at Lowes but hear two Cup teams, #5-Terry Labonte and Derrike Cope in the Fenley Racing/Bud Moore Ford(#15 or #62?) and 27 BGN teams including #24-Jeff Gordon teams(WC Today Radio) and #5-Dick Trickle(9-8-1999)
Testing: Bobby Hamilton was testing the #4 car at Memphis on Tuesday in preparation for the race at Richmond(9-8-1999)
#77 Testing News: Robert Pressley and the #77 Jasper Engines Ford tested at the Caraway Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the Richmond race(9-7-1999)
Test at Homestead: Cup ROTY candidate Tony Stewart took part in the first testing session for the
November 14 Pennzoil 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Tuesday, driving the #20 Home Depot Pontiac in a private test for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Unofficially, Stewart was credited with a lap of 36.70 on the 1.5-mile
circuit (147.139 mph), but he pointed out that top speed was not the goal of the session. Stewart has previous NASCAR Busch Series experience at Homestead, but failed to finish in a pair of starts in the Jiffy Lube Miami 300. He
crashed and was credited with 37th in 1997, and was 39th last year after having clutch failure(Homestead-Miami Speedway Newsletter)(8-31-1999)
RIR Testing UPDATE speeds: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be among nine drivers testing at Richmond on Aug. 30-31 for the Sept. 11 Exide Select Batteries 400. Also scheduled to test will be #24-Jeff Gordon, #26-Johnny Benson, #01-Ron Hornaday, #32-Mike Wallace, #7-Michael Waltrip, #10-Ricky Rudd, #99-Jeff Burton and #90-Stanton Barrett(News and Record/Depot/www.rir.com)(8-25-1999) -- UPDATE: speeds for Monday's test are #8-122.283mph; #24-121.731; #01-121.731; #10-121.621; #7-121.567; #32-120.968; and #90-120.968. The #26 Roush team cancelled their test. Pole speed from May was 126.499mph by #24-Jeff Gordon. Testing continues on Tuesday(laps times from the Times-Dispatch, speed calculated by me)(8-31-1999)
Testing: Team SABCO is scheduled to test at Martinsville Speedway on Sept. 14-15 in preparation for the Oct. 3. NAPA AutoCare 500(News and Record)(8-20-1999)
More Testing: Terry Labonte and the Hendrick Motorsports team tested for their second day in preparation for next week's Goody's Headache Powder 500. With the Food City 250 just nine days away, three NASCAR Busch Series teams also tested, including drivers Jeff Fuller(#42), Jason White(#28) and Carl Long(#95).(www.bristolmotorspeedway.com)(8-19-1999)
Bristol Testing: Terry Labonte and the Hendrick Motorsports team are testing at Bristol Motor Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for next week's Goody's Headache Powder 500 and Jimmy Spencer(#12), Jeff Fuller(#42), Kerry Earnhardt(#76), Jamie Skinner(#19) and Carl Long(#95) are testing for the BGN event(Bristol Motor Speedway Site)(8-18-1999)
Martin Test: Mark Martin tested the #6 Valvoline Ford at Darlington on Tuesday, no speeds reported(NOL)(8-12-1999)
#41 Test: David Green and the #41 Hedrick team tested at Bristol on Tuesday and Wednesday in prep for the Aug 28th event(8-12-1999)
More Indy Testing UPDATE: Ricky Craven and Robert Pressley returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for testing early this week, no times reported(News and Record)(7-28-1999) -- UPDATE: A couple of Cup drivers got in some test laps Wednesday at Indianapolis in preparation for the Brickyard 400. The majority of the WC drivers got their test laps in a week or two ago when GM and Ford booked the track. #77-Robert Pressley, who was in attendance for the Ford test, recorded a top speed of 177.190 mph. Joining the Jasper car was #50-Ricky Craven with a 177.214 mph lap(SpeedNet)(7-29-1999)
Watkins Glen Testing UPDATE: Track officials at Watkins Glen announced a test session and preview for the Frontier at The Glen. Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mike Skinner, Joe Nemechek, Boris Said, and Michael Waltrip are scheduled to test on Monday, July 26. Fans that have purchased tickets for the August 15th Frontier @ The
Glen will be admitted free of charge. Those planning on attending should present their tickets at the gate or pick up a voucher at the ticket office if they have already purchased Frontier @ The Glen tickets. All other spectators can take in the action for only $10.00 at the gate. Gate 4 will be open from 8:00am - 4:00pm/et(The Glen Site PR)(7-21-1999), reposted(7-26-1999) -- UPDATE: Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mike Skinner, Ron Fellows, Boris Said, and #92-Paul Gentilozzi tested at Watkins Glen on Monday. The track has been repaved and has concrete strips in some of the corners in an effort to stop the track from breaking up(NASCAR Today Radio) and from today's StockCarFans Newsletter via Steve: Mike Skinner in two cars Jeff Gordon in a primered car with a day glow orange skull and cross bones(They usually run this on many cars they test). Dale Jarrett, Ron Fellows in Joe Nemechek's #87 with Bully Hill as the sponsor and Boris Said came out in the #14. Some unofficial speeds posted: Skinner 76.92sec(114.665mph); Fellows 74.19sec(118.883); Gordon 74.65sec(118.151); and Jarrett 74.61sec(118.215). NOTE: Track record for Cup is 120.733mph by Dale Earnhardt in August 1996(7-27-1999)
Tuesday GM Indy Testing:WC Today Radio reports that the fastest were #36-Irvan, #31-Skinner, #4-Hamilton, #43-Andretti, #33-Schrader and #5-Labonte. #55-Wallace and #1-Park both wrecked during the testing. Neither were hurt(7-20-1999) -- UPDATE speeds: top five on Tuesday's testing were: #00-Jones 178.402mph, #60-Bodine 177.788, #41-Green 177.567, #36-Irvan 177.518 and #42-Nemechek 177.413. Many teams practiced race setups. See full list at SpeedNet(7-21-199)
Indy Testing UPDATE 2: GM teams are testing on July 19-20th at Indy for the Brickyard 400 on Aug. 7th() -- rain date is July 21. Testing will run from 9am to 6pm/ct daily(SpeedNet)(7-9-1999) -- UPDATE: some early speeds - John Andretti was the fastest in the #43 STP Pontiac with a speed of 177.873mph in the heat. The other top five were #45-Bickle, #60-Bodine, #33-Schrader, and #7-Waltrip all topped 175mph(Winston Cup Today Radio)(7-19-1999) -- UPDATE 2: 29 drivers tested 50 GM(Chevy/Pontiac) cars Monday. #22-Ward Burton was the fastest on Monday at 178.094mph, #43-John Andretti was 2nd at 177.873 and #45-Rich Bickle at 177.852 was third, see speeds for Monday at SpeedNet(7-20-1999)
Wednesday Indy Speeds: didn't see JUST the speeds froom Wednesday. Saw Tuesday's and the Cumulative so here is Wednesday, thanks to Matt who got them from the Indianapolis Star: #12-Jeremy Mayfield, 177.925mph; #10-Ricky Rudd, 177.228; #9-Jerry Nadeau, 177.040; #21-Elliott Sadler, 177.012; #98-Rick Mast, 176.198; #26-Johnny Benson, 175.836; #16-Kevin Lepage, 175.774; #94-Bill Elliott, 175.251; #66-Darrell Waltrip, 174.815; and #32-Mike Wallace, 174.693(Indianapolis Star)(7-16-1999)
Ford Indy Wednesday Testing UPDATE: no speeds but the Winston Cup Today radio show reports that #12-Jeremy Mayfield was the fastest on Wednesday, followed by #6-Mark Martin and #21-Elliott Sadler. #88-Dale Jarrett was the only driver over 179mph during the two day test, which Jarrett accomplished on Tuesday(7-14-1999) -- UPDATE: see a cummulative speed chart at SpeedNet: Jarrett quickest overall in Ford Brickyard testing(7-15-1999)
Indy Speeds and a Story: Dale Jarrett led the 43 Ford cars testing at Indy on Tuesday. Jarrett was slower than Ernie Irvan's official track record (set in qualifying last year for the Brickyard 400). Irvan ran 179.394mph (50.169 seconds) last year. Ford's testing ends today. The practice, which runs from 8am to 5pm/ct, is free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the bleachers at the south end of the track. Top Five speeds at the Ford Indy testing - #88-Dale Jarrett, 179.154 mph; #99-Jeff Burton, 178.260; #6-Mark Martin, 178.218; #28-Kenny Irwin Jr., 177.736; #12-Jeremy Mayfield 177.141. Others testing were #62-Jeff Davis(WW), #61-Bob Strait(ARCA), #48-Andy Hillenburg, #80-Gary Bradberry, #32-Mike Wallace and #14-Boris Said. For the rest of the speeds, see: Driver actions fuel harmony by Curt Cavin of SpeedNet, also speeds and a story at RaceWire: Aching Martin Shows True Grit at Brickyard Test(7-14-1999)
Indy Testing UPDATE: Ford Cup teams are scheduled to test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday(July 13th and 14th). GM teams will test on July 19-20th at Indy for the Brickyard 400 on Aug. 7th() -- Ford rain date is July 15 and GM rain date is July 21. Testing will run from 9am to 6pm/ct daily(SpeedNet)(7-9-1999) -- UPDATE: Ford tests Tuesday and Wednesday. Include Stanton Barrett in that mix as he and the #90 Junie Donlavey team will test(Williams Company)(7-13-1999)
Sadler Tests the #21 CITGO Ford on Wednesday(today) at Greenville Pickens Speedway to test their new car which will race at Loudon this weekend(Cox PR)(7-7-1999)
Craven news: Ricky Craven will be back in the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy at Loudon this weekend. He tested at Grennville-Pickens Speedway(SC) on Tuesday in preparation(7-6-1999)
Testing: I hear Michael Waltrip will be testing his #7 Chevy at Greenville-Pickens Speedway(SC) on July 6th(7-6-1999)
NHIS Testing UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be at NHIS on June 23rd testing for his second Winston Cup race(NE Racing)(6-17-1999) -- UPDATE 1:I hear Ward Burton and Dave Blaney will be testing the Bill Davis Cup cars at Loudon next Tuesday and Wednesday(June 22-23) (6-18-1999) -- UPDATE 2 I hear BGN/BGNN driver Ted Christopher will test his new Winston Cup Car at New Hampshire on Wed, June 23rd(6-23-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Some speeds(approx) - #22-Burton 128.7mph ; #93-Blaney 128.8mph; #8-Earnhardt, Jr 129.2mph; Earnhardt wrecked one car but was able to test the 2nd car(6-24-1999)
Daytona Test UPDATE 3: next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22nd and 23rd with Elliott Sadler, Roush Racing using driver Matt Kenseth, and Buckshot Jones are scheduled to participate in that test, which will include night-time running on both days(NOL)(6-16-1999) -- UPDATE: The Wood Brothers along with #21 driver Elliott Sadler have postponed their Daytona test due to bad weather predictions(NOL)(6-18-1999) -- UPDATE 2: I now here that the #21 will be at the test(6-22-1999) -- UPDATE 3: Rookies Elliott Sadler(#21) and Roy "Buckshot" Jones(#00) tested Tuesday at Daytona under the lights in hopes of gaining some insight to help them better qualify next week for the Pepsi 400. Busch Series driver Matt Kenseth also tested to check equipment for Roush(SpeedNet)(6-23-1999)
Green Testing: David Green and others were testing at a road course outside Charlotte on Wednesday when rain hit the area, allowing the to get some test time on the Goodyear rain tires that will be mandated at Watkins Glen on the 27th. Green said the rain tires do their job, but just about 100% of the drivers hope there is no rain at Sears Point or Watkins Glen(Inside Motorsports)(6-17-1999)
Gordon Tested UPDATE 1: Jeff Gordon tested his BGN and Cup cars at Memphis Motorsports Park on Tuesday. Not sure why they chose the track(6-16-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Gordon was driving a primer Cup car and Ryan Newman was driving the BGN car. They were testing to see how well the BGN car would keep up with a Cup car on a track the size of Memphis's(reason given in the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper). The track is a 3/4 mile tri-oval with eleven degrees banking which very similiar to Richmond. Derrike Cope was testing the #30 cup car on Monday June 14th(6-17-1999)
More Testing: Geoffrey Bodine and the #60 Power Team tested at the Roebling Road road course in Savannah, GA on Tuesday in preparation for the road course events(PowerTeam)(6-16-1999)
Testing at the Glen: Twenty-two Cup and BGN teams will be testing the newly paved surface at The Glen including: Rusty Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte, David Green and from the BGN: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Matt Kenseth, Randy Lajoie, Elton Sawyer, Jeff Fuller and Jeff Green. When: Tuesday, June 15, 1999 from 10:00am - 4:00pm/et(Watkins Glen PR)(6-10-1999) -- UPDATE 1: No word on speeds or how the testing went...yet(6-16-1999)
Testing UPDATE 2: Kyle Petty and John Andretti are supposed test at Road Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday(June 14-15th)in preparation of the upcoming road course races(Williams Co)(6-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear Ward Burton and Tom Hubert will test Bill Davis' Pontiacs at Road Atlanta on Monday - UPDATE 2: Rusty Wallace in the #2 Ford and Kenny Irwin in the #28 also tested(WC Today Radio)(6-14-1999)
Pocono Testing: On Monday and Tuesday (6/7, 6/8), Tony Stewart, Steve Park, and Jeff Green practiced at Pocono Raceway in preparation for the Pocono races. No speeds reported on Monday, but Steve Park was rumored to be quickest of the three at a little over 168 mph on Tuesday. Also, it is reported that Tony Stewart wrecked his primary car for the June race in Turn 2 at Pocono during a Tuesday morning practice session. Tony Stewart was uninjured and continued practice using a 2nd car(Stock Car Fans Newsletter)(6-9-1999)
Rusty Tests: Rusty Wallace tested the #2 Miller Lite Ford at Michigan Speedway earlier this week(Times-Dispatch)(6-4-1999)
Daytona Testing:Jimmy Spencer and Mike Skinner were at Daytona last week for a day of Goodyear tire test in preparation for the July 3 Pepsi 400. In the most recent test, speeds over long runs (100 miles or more) averaged 185 mph. Speeds over short runs (12.5 miles) averaged 187 mph(NOL)(5-23-1999)
Michigan Testing UPDATE 1: Robert Pressley and the #77 Jasper Engines Ford team will test at Michigan next Monday and Tuesday(May 17-18th)()(5-11-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Dave Blaney is also testing the #93 Amoco Pontiac, at Michigan on Monday and Tuesday, heard Blaney ran a lap of 181.360mph, just short of Ward Burtons 181.405 pole speed last year. Blaney plans to make his first Cup start at Michigan in June. Pressley was not at the test as reported but Bobby Hamilton was there(5-18-1999)
Testing at Lakeland FL: Terry Labonte and Ken Scherder tested this week at Lakeland Speedway in preparation for the Richmond race. Labonte tested Tues-Wed(11-12) and Scherader tested Mon-Tue(10-11)(WC Today Radio)(5-13-1999)
Charlotte Final Testing Speeds/Tuesday: Elliott Sadler had the fastest speed Tuesday night during testing at Lowes, 181.769mph which betters Dale Earnhardt, Jr's lap of 181.470mph during the GM test lasy week. The rest of the top five 2) #9- Nadeau 181.087; 3) #75-Musgrave 181.026 4) #12-Mayfield 180.935; and 5) #99-Burton 180.650. Others at the test were Carl Long in the #85, Boris Said in the #14 and Andy Hillinberg(#80?). See the complete list of Ford speeds at SpeedNet - Sadler fastest in testing at Charlotte (5-12-1999)
Charlotte Early Testing Speeds: The top five speeds of mandatory Ford testing at Lowes midway through the day: 1) #75-Musgrave 177.959mph; 2) #12-Mayfield 177.825; 3) #9-Nadeau 177.154 4) #6-Martin 176.459; 5) #11-Bodine 176.183 (RPM2Nite)(5-11-1999)
Testing: I hear David Green and Bobby Hamilton were at Greenville Pickens(SC) Speedway today testing their Cup cars. Green(#41) also tested his BGN car along with Jeff Krogh(#56), Kenny Irwin(#11), Larry Pearson(#00) and Steve Grissom(#22). I hear Jason Jarrett was there but not sure if he tested at all. Question asked: Why do so many teams test at Greenville Pickens? Since it is a track the Cup and BGN series doesn't run a race on, it does not count against a team to test there. The track, being a short track, is similar to Richmond and used by teams to get ready for tracks such as Richmond and Martinsville(5-11-1999)
Monday's Final Test Speeds: Mark Martin had the fastest lap at LMS testing with a speed of 180.911mph, last week Dale Earnhardt, Jr turned a lap of 181.470mph during the GM test. The rest of the top five: 2) #16-Lepage 180.511; 3) #11-Bodine 180.457; 4) #2-Wallace 180.138; and 5) #21-Sadler 179.760. For the rest of the speeds see the article at SpeedNet: Martin leads testing at Charlotte (5-11-1999)
Early Monday Ford Test Speeds at Charlotte: the top 12 speeds so far during the Ford speeds at Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600: 1) #23-Spencer 179.307mph; 2) #99-Burton 178.855; 3) #6-Martin 178.583; 4) #2-178.548; 5) #10-Rudd 178.206; 6) #26-Benson 178.153; 7) #9-Nadeau 178.118; 8) #12-Mayfield 177.731; 9) #11-Bodine 177.200; 10) #88-Jarrett 177.136; 11) #94-Elliott 176.517; 12) #75-Musgrave 176.246. Twenty three Ford teams are at Charlotte testing, including the #14 Irvan-Simo Ford with Boris Said. The speeds are thru early evening, the test runs until 10pm/et on Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th(5-10-1999)
Hamilton Tests: The #4 Kodak Chevy was at Greenville Pickens Speedway(SC)testing three cars(5-10-1999)
Lowes Testing Speeds UPDATE 1:: top 6 speeds so far on Thursday: Steve Park 179-223mph; Bobby Labonte 178.619; Kenny Wallace 178.619; Dale Earnhardt 178.277; Kenny Schrader 177.959; and Geoff Bodine 177.760 (RPM2Nite). Also LMS expects to announce what track changes will be made in response the the IRL tragedy soon. Testing continues tonight until 10pm/et(or until it rains) with the stands being opened to the public from 5-10pm. Tony Stewart only ran a few laps as his feet still hurt badly. NOL reported he went to the hospital to get them looked at, Bobby Labonte tested two cars of his own as well as two for Stewart(RPM2Nite). The TNN Motorsports Sites has some info and images at GM Testing Buzz At Charlotte(5-6-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Dale Earnhardt, Jr led the way testing at Lowes Motor Speedway on Thursday night with a speed of 181.470mph, which was almost 1 1/2mph faster then the 2nd best #44-Kyle Petty at 179.982. For the listing of speeds from Thursday see - Speeds, some things noticed, Lance Hooper tested a #27 Pontiac(Richard Jackson team?), Ken Bouchard was there in the #84 Chevy and Dan Pardus was 25th fastest of 41 cars in the #50.(5-7-1999)
Lowes(Charlotte) Testing UPDATE 2: GM teams will test from 1 to 10pm/et on May 5-6, with a rain date of May 7. Ford teams test May 10-11 from 1 to 10pm/et, with May 12 as a rain date. BGN teams will have an open test May 17 from 9am to 5pm/et. The grandstands will be open for all test sessions()(4-28-1999) -- UPDATE 1:Track Reopens With Winston Cup Testing(WRAL/AP), also Testing was closed to the public and I have gotten no reports on what teams atteneded or what speeds are -- UPDATE 2: 26 teams were in the garage area, but rain limited the teams to a little over an hour of testing. Michael Waltrip crashed in turn four but was ok. Kyle Petty took a day off from his Charity Ride to test the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac. No speeds mentioned(WC Today Radio)(5-6-1999)
Sears Point Testing UPDATE 3: Six Cup drivers tested at Sears Point on Monday. #50-Wally Dallenbach Jr., #20-Tony Stewart, #19-Tom Hubert, #21-Elliot Sadler, #14-Boris Said, and #2-Rusty Wallace. There was a misting light rain in the morning hours as the crews prepared. Rusty Wallace was the only Winston Cup driver to run laps before the track closed at 2pm local time. Tony Stewart stayed in his trailer most of the day. His people said he wasn't feeling well and when he did get in his car for adjustments to his seat, he was walking with a noticeable limp and discomfort (burnt foot on Sunday). The track brought two buses of local school children in and track officials did bring Wally and Rusty over to meet them(StockCarFans Newsletter, Dan), no idea if testing will continue on Tuesday(5-4-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Tony Stewart got a little extra training April 30 along with four other NASCAR drivers. The drivers enrolled in a one-day driver development program and worked on learning the racing line while refining their road racing skills in preparation for the Save Mart/Kragen 350 on June 27 to be held at Sears Point Raceway. Kevin LePage said he attended the school because he won't be able to attend this week's NASCAR open test day.(SpeedNet) I hear Elliott Sadler also attended but no word on the other two drivers. I also hear that at Monday's testing that Hubert was helping out the #20 Home Depot team and Tony Stewart and Said was there with the #21 CITGO team. The teams are able to test thru Wednesday(5-5-1999) -- UPDATE 2: more news - Both Stewart (#20 Home Depot Pontiac) and Wallace (#2 Miller Lite Ford) tested on Monday and Tuesday, while Dallenbach (#25 Budweiser Chevrolet) and Sadler (#21 Citgo Ford) tested on Tuesday and plan to run more laps today. In addition to Stewart, other Winston Cup Drivers who took a one-day course from the Russell Racing School last week were Chad Little (#97 John Deere Ford); Kevin LePage(#16 Primestar Ford); Steve Park (#1 Pennzoil Chevrolet) and Derrick Cope (#30 Jimmy Dean Pontiac). See the whole article at NASCAR's Sears Point road test(Press Democrat), I hear it was the Bondurant School, not the Russell Racing School(5-6-1999)
RIR Testing: The #90 Junie Donlavey Ford tested at Richmond on Tuesday, the Winston Cup team’s first test of the year, with Hut Stricklin driving. Stricklin’s best lap was 123.007mph(Times-Dispatch)(5-5-1999)
Road Test School: Since the teams are on the West Coast, several drivers are taking time to test at Sears Point, and some of NASCAR's newest drivers, such as Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler, have gone back to school for a few days, road-racing school(PitNow)(5-1-1999)
RIR Testing: Steve Park had the fast lap on Tuesday with a speed of 125.757mph. Tony Stewart ran a fast lap of 123.119mph(RPM2Nite), Steve Park with two cars and Tony Stewart had a one year old Bobby Labonte Interstate Pontiac that the team will paint with the familar orange and whiite Home Depot logos shortly.(4-27-1999)
RIR Testing UPDATE 2: Tony Stewart will test the #20 Home Depot Pontiac at Richmond on Monday and Tuesday(Times-Dispatch)(4-26-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Stewart ran a lap of 126.227mph which would break the track record(RPM2Nite) -- UPDATE 2: Steve Park was also testing at RIR and ran a fast lap of 124.309mph, testing continues today(SpeedNet)(4-27-1999)
RIR Tuesday Testing UPDATE 1: Ernie Irvan in the #36 M&M's Pontiac and Rich Bickle in the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac both ran the same fast lap of 125.815mph in testing at Richmond on Tuesday. Track record is 125.585mph. No word on Buckshots speed(WC Today Radio)(4-20-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Buckshot's speed was 121.457mph. BGN drivers Tony Roper speed was 121.076mph and Phil Morris' speed was 121.457mph(NOL)(4-21-1999)
217mph? CORRECTION: on today's Winston Cup Today Radio, it was reported that a rumor floating thru the garage area at Talladega during GM testing there last week, that Geoffrey Bodine ran a lap of 217mph when the wrong plate was put under the carburetor in place of the regular restrictor plate by accident. NASCAR supposedly decided not to issue a fine as they felt it was an accident(4-20-1999) -- CORRECTION: looks like I mixed this one up - Bodine possibly ran speeds as high as 217mph, not a lap of 217mph and as for NASCAR they did not fine the team as they felt it was " an honest mistake", not an accident, sorry for any confusion(4-21-1999)
RIR Testing UPDATE 4: Some Cup teams will test at Richmond early next week. The #45 10-10-345 Pontiac and Rich Bickle will be one team testing(RPM2Nite)(4-17-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear the drivers testing at RIR on 4/19 and 4/20 will be #45-Rich Bickle, #36-Ernie Irvan and #22-Wrad Burton(Inside Motorsports and some readers) -- UPDATE 2:
Actually Ward Burton was testing the #02 Siemens Pontiac, his BGN car, also Tony Roper is testing the #61 IWX Motor Freight BGN Pontiac(RIR) -- UPDATE 3: Speeds from SpeedNet - Ernie Irvan, 125.815mph; Rich Bickle, 124.024; Ward Burton, 122.895; and Tony Roper, 119.048. Irvans speed was above the track record of 125.558mph by Jeff Gordon last June -- UPDATE 4: Buckshot Jones joins the testing today in the #00 Pontiac and on the BGN side, Ward Burton has left and Phil Morris is testing in the 01 Llumar Window Film Chevy. Irvan, Bickle and Roper remain from Monday's testing. The Joe Gibbs teams(#'s 19 and 20) will test at RIR on April 26-27th.(RIR Site)(4-20-1999)
GM Talladega Testing Day Two: Bobby Hillin was fastest in the #24 Dupont Chevy at 195.940mph. The rest of the top five, #40-Marlin 195.031; #7-Waltrip 194.947; #43-Andretti 194.326; #5-Labonte 193.936. Kyle Petty was back in the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac, wrecked but is OK.(Speeds at SpeedNet)(4-15-1999)
Testing: I hear the #23 Winston Team with Jimmy Spencer, Darrell Waltrip in the #66, Chad Little in the #97 and #75-Ted Musgrave are testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway today in preparation for Martinsville this weekend. Also #58-Ricky Craven and #2-Rusty Wallace tested there today(4-14-1999)
GM Talladega Testing Day One UPDATE 1: Bobby Hillin stepped in for Jeff Gordon and tested the #24 DuPont Chevy. Mike Skinner had Mike Dillon subbing in the #31 Lowes Chevy. The top six speeds: #40-Marlin 195.376mph; #24-Hillin 195.369; #5-Labonte 194.362; #7-Waltrip 194.196; #3-Earnhardt 194.168; and #42-Nemechek 194.166. Twenty five teams are testing with Thirty five cars(WC Today Radio and RPM2Nite)(4-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Sterling Marlin topped 196mph during testing Tuesday. The top five: #40-Marlin 196.709; #24-Hillin 195.389; #5- Labonte 194.362; #7-Waltrip 194.212; and #3-Earnhardt 194.188. See the speeds of 27 drivers at SpeedNet(4-14-1999)
#77 Testing: Robert Pressley and the #77 Jasper Motorsports team are testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway today(4-13-1999)
GM Testing: begins at Talladega on Tuesday for the Chevy and Pontiac teams. Steve Grissom will sub for Kyle Petty for at least Tuesday as his father-in-law passed away over the weekend and Kyle plans to be with his wife and her family(WC Today Radio)(4-12-1999)
Hamilton Test: Bobby Hamilton tested at Greenville-Pickens(SC) Speedway today in the #4 Kodak Chevy(WC Today Radio)(4-12-1999)
Talladega Testing UPDATE 4: Nineteen teams are scheduled to be at Talladega for mandatory Ford testing at Talladega Super Speedway on Tuesday, April 6th(WC Today Radio) -- UPDATE: testing was rained out Tuesday(RPM2Nite) plans are to test Wednesday from 7am to dark and for 4 more hours on Thursday morning. GM teams will test next Tuesday and Wednesday(13th and 14th)(WC Today Radio)(4-6-1999) -- UPDATE 2 Teams testing:
#2-Rusty Wallace, #26-Johnny Benson, #94-Bill Elliott, #11-Brett Bodine,#6-Mark Martin, #99-Jeff Burton, #97-Chad Little, #16-Kevin LePage, #21-Elliott Sadler, #12-Jeremy Mayfield, #23-Steve Grissom(for Spencer), #66-Darrell Waltrip, #77-Robert Pressley, #75-Ted Musgrave, #58-Ricky Craven, #88-Dale Jarrett, #10-Andy Hillenburg(for Rudd), #??-Bob Strait and #28-Kenny Irwin(SpeedNet)(4-7-1999) -- Update 3: The Ford teams tested on Wednesday - Speeds for the top 6: #12-Mayfield 194.255mph; #2-Wallace 194.054; #28-Irwin 193.337; #97-Little 193.213; #10-Hillenburg 193.119; anf #94-Elliott 192.909(RPM2Nite)(4-7-1999) -- UPDATE 4: The full list of speeds can be seen at the Talladega section on the DaytonaUSA site (4-8-1999)
More Testing UPDATE 2: at Greenville-Pickens Speedway - I hear Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte (or their teams) are testing today. Surprised if Gordon is testing, since he is still sore(Race 2 Win (4-7-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Wally Dallenbach was also at the test. I hear Gordon was sore after the test and the team may have a relief driver available at Bristol -- but a story refutes that - Gordon on the mend -- UPDATE 2: also hear Dave Marcis, Larry Pearson and Kenny Wallace tested there on Wednesday too(4-8-1999)
Martinsville Testing: Three Cup teams tested at Martinsville Tuesday, #9-Jerry Nadeau 94.069mph; #00-Buckshot Jones 93.511; and #20-Tony Stewart 93.032. Track record is 94.124 (RPM2Nite)(4-6-1999)
Greenville Testing: I hear Joe Nemechek, David Green, and Dick Trickle are testing today at Greenville-Pickens(SC) in preparation for the Martinsville race, also Sterling Marlin is there(4-6-1999)
Martinsville Testing: was postponed Thursday as it rained. #21-Sadler; #43-Andretti; #30-Cope; #00-Jones; #60-G Bodine were scheduled to test. Cope, Andretti and Bodine plan testing on Friday(WC Today Radio), see some notes at Martinsville Speedway - Testing Notes(4-1-1999)
Bristol Testing: Darrell Waltrip and Wally Dallenbach tested at Brsitol today, no speeds(WC Today Radio)(4-1-1999)
Pardus Test: Dan Pardus and the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy team will be testing at Greenville Pickens(SC) Speedway on April 1(3-31-1999) -- Pardus had to cancel the test due to rain(4-1-1999)
Testing UPDATE: Jeremy Mayfield tested the #12 Mobil One Ford at Martinsville on Monday and will again on Tuesday(WC Today Radio)(3-30-1999) -- UPDATE: Kenny Irwin tested the #28 Texaco Ford at Martinsville on Tuesday(WC Today Radio) and Geoffrey Bodine will be testing the #60 Power Team Chevy at Martinsville on Wednesday and Thursday(3-31-1999)
Bristol Testing: Tony Stewart and Bobby Hamilton in Cup cars and Kenny Schrader and Sterling Marlin in their BGN cars tested at Bristol today, no speeds(3-30-1999)
