Phoenix Testing and Fittapaldi to run #44 next week UPDATE: Out West #24-Jeff Gordon Was Practicing at Phoenix along with #10-Johnny Benson, #49-Derrike Cope, and CART driver Christian Fittapaldi, Who is going to attempt to qualify the Petty Enterprises #44 Georgia Pacific Dodge there next week.(PRN’s Garagepass Radio Show)(10-29-2002) UPDATE – Teams Complete First Day of Testing at PIR: Four Cup Series teams and one BGN team rolled into Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) on Tuesday for the first of a two-day test session. #24-Jeff Gordon, #10-Johnny Benson, #44-Christian Fittipaldi, #49-Derrick Cope and [BGN] #97-PJ Jones all took to the one-mile oval in preparation for the NASCAR Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil Weekend, November 7-10. Gordon turned the fastest time of the day with a speed of 130.910mph, followed by #49-Cope at 129.032. Both #10-Benson and #44-Fittipaldi tested in race trim and had best speeds of 128.571. Fittipaldi will attempt to qualify the car for the November 10th Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil. Meanwhile, PJ Jones was the lone Busch Series competitor testing at PIR today in the new #97 Tuttle Motorsports entry. Jones lapped the track in 125.000mph. Testing for all teams will conclude tomorrow.(PIR PR)(10-30-2002)
