16 NASCAR Busch Series teams were preparing for the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 on Saturday afternoon, May 29. Paul Menard, driving the #33 owned by Andy Petree, slammed the SAFER Barrier between turns three and four just before the lunch break. Despite heavy damage to the rear of the car, Menard was checked at the Carolinas HealthCare Infield Care Center and released. “The SAFER Barrier was definitely softer, but it was still a hard impact,” Menard said as he surveyed his badly damaged machine. “I had actually been tight and it just snapped around.” Sauter, testing the #50 Busch Series car owned by Michael Holigan, also slammed the SAFER Barrier in turn four shortly after 1 p.m. The second-generation driver visited the Carolinas HealthCare Infield Care Center where he was checked and released. #60-Greg Biffle and #20-Mike Bliss were among those on hand who did not participate in Monday’s Busch Series session. Bobby Labonte visited and took some laps in the #18 driven by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate J.J. Yeley and Tony Stewart drove the black #29 Chevrolets that were wheeled by Clint Boyer on Monday.
Testing continues Wednesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and fans can watch the action from the main grandstand free of charge. IPOWER
DASH Series drivers will be on the track from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with ARCA RE/MAX Series teams testing for the May 27 Quaker Steak & Lube 100 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Tickets for all May events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway are still available and can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or
by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(5-11-2004)
