Several NASCAR Busch Series drivers turned the first laps of the 2005 season at Richmond International Tuesday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 6, including #22-Kenny Wallace, #32-Shane Hmiel,#44- Justin Labonte, and #10-Michel Jourdain. Kenny Wallace, who currently sits in seventh place in the NASCAR Busch Series standings, continues to be impressed with the surface at Richmond International Raceway. “I don’t know what it is about this race track,” said Wallace, a three-time winner at Richmond. “I don’t know if I’m real good at following that yellow line or what, but whenever someone asks, ‘What is your favorite racetrack,’ I say, ‘Richmond,’ because if the car doesn’t work on the bottom you can move it to the top. It’s just always been a fun track to race on.” Rookie NASCAR Busch Series driver Michel Jourdain visited Richmond International Raceway for the first time, and seems optimistic for the FUNAI 250 “under the lights” on Friday, May 13. “I like (Richmond) a lot,” the former Champ Car driver said. “It’s pretty fast track with good grip. It’s my first year in the stock cars, and at most tracks I don’t have enough confidence to be more aggressive. But here I feel I can brake a lot harder and I’m liking it a lot.” Wallace turned in an unofficial time of 21.80 seconds in race trim on Wednesday, while Jourdain’s unofficial best time was 21.99 in race trim. Testing resumes April 26 when NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. visits Richmond International Raceway. Carl Edwards will test May 2 in preparation for double duty May 13-14 for the FUNAI 250 and Chevy American Revolution 400. A host of NASCAR stars will be on hand May 3, including Rusty Wallace, Kasey Kahne, Sterling Marlin, Jamie McMurray, Ricky Rudd, Reed Sorenson, Scott Riggs, Jeff Green, and Carl Edwards. Fans are invited to watch from the Grandstands at no charge on any of these days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Richmond International Raceway)(4-9-2005)
