While the teams learned a lot about setting up cars for qualifying during the Daytona tests, they still have to concern themselves with the race. Brand new BelCar Racing, which announced the partnership between Sam Belnavis and Travis Carter last week, is one team that expects to test at Talladega this week, and it’s possible Todd Bodine could be the driver. Carter was pleased with the progress made by the #54 Ford at Daytona, but he knows the team needs to find more speed. Carter appointed former chief engineer Derrick Finley crew chief. Finley worked with Philippe Lopez at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and moved with him to Carter’s in 1999. Billy Poindexter, formerly with Dale Jarrett’s team, has been hired as car chief.( Sporting News )(1-20-2003) UPDATE: other teams/drivers testing at Talladega this week include #33/#55-Christian Fittipaldi (will drive the #33 in the Daytona 500), #5-Terry Labonte, #17-Matt Kenseth in his BGN car and Andy Belmont in his ARCA car, #21-Ricky Rudd is also scheduled to test at Talladega this week.(1-21-2003)
