Next up at “The World Center of Racing” is the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The even-numbered teams in the 2004 owner’s standings will begin a three-day test session on Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway. Among the drivers expected to test include: #48-Jimmie Johnson, #18-Bobby Labonte, #2-Rusty Wallace, #6-Mark Martin and #9-Kasey Kahne. The third NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest is scheduled for Wednesday in the new FanZone in the infield of the Speedway. During the day, fans that purchase a Fan Fest ticket can watch testing from the FanZone. Beginning at 5 p.m., the Fan Fest will begin with bands, pit stop demonstrations, auctions and inquisitive fan forums. Admission is $15 and the proceeds from the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest will also benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp, The Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports and American Red Cross for tsunami relief. For any events at Daytona International Speedway, tickets can be purchased online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR), last weeks Daytona testing news and speeds on my Daytona 500 Testing page.(1-17-2005)
UPDATE: #10-Scott Riggs was fastest in the morning session for Daytona 500 testing, the second wave of teams testing, this week is the teams who finished the 2004 season in the even numbers owners points position [with a few exceptions]. Riggs ran a lap of 185.109mph, followed by #01-Joe Nemechek at 184.816 [seems MB2, MBV, MB-Sutton teams have the Daytona testing down pretty good], #43-Jeff Green [new Evernham power working good], #6-Mark Martin and #48-Jimmie Johnson. Eric McClure is driving a 2nd Morgan-McClure car, the #73. Busch driver David Stremme is testing the #39 Dodge of Chip Ganassi [could this be the rumored Bill Elliott ride?] and Derrike Cope is listed in the #55 Chevy [reportedly teaming up with Larry Hollenback who ran #62 last year in a few attempts]. No speed listed for #37-Kevin Lepage, #2-Rusty Wallace or #27-Kirk Shelmerdine [switched from #72].
FLIP-FLOP: in the afternoon testing, #01-Joe Nemechek was fastest with a lap of 184.661 while #10-Scott Riggs was second with a lap of 184.646. See the full rundown of speeds on my Daytona 500 Testing page.(1-18-2005)
