Scott Riggs and the MBV Motorsports team led testing on a rain-shortened day July 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a speed of 181.244 mph in the #10 Valvoline Chevrolet. Riggs top lap ranks him as seventh-fastest to date in 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series private testing at the 2.5-mile oval. #16-Greg Biffle remains the fastest of 2005 testing so far, thanks to the lap of 181.963 he posted July 11. The top five overall in 2005 testing at Indianapolis, which includes test days on July 5-6 and 11-12, are Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Ken Schrader, Robby Gordon and Elliott Sadler. Ken Schrader was second-fastest of the day at 181.051 in the #49 Schwans Home Service Dodge, and Jamie McMurray was third at 180.810 in the #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge. Weather forecasts called for heavy rains July 12 in Indianapolis, thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Dennis, but the 14 teams that elected to stay in town were able to find some track time. Brief, intermittent showers tested the patience of drivers and teams until heavier midday rain showers finally ended testing.
Even though no driver has yet to approach Mears track record of 186.293 set in 2004 qualifying, Mears is confident that his record will be broken this year. The third and final round of private testing before the 12th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard continues July 18-19, with former race winners Dale Jarrett and Bill Elliott, scheduled to test both days along with former USAC standout Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Four-time Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Jeff Gordon and Indiana native Tony Stewart will test July 19 only. Fans are welcome to watch testing July 18-19 from the South Terrace grandstands, located in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission is free.
Speeds from Tuesday, July 12th:
10-Scott Riggs, 181.244, 41
49-Ken Schrader, 181.051, 21
42-Jamie McMurray, 180.810. 44 36-Boris Said, 180.703, 25
29-Kevin Harvick, 180.682, 25
41-Casey Mears, 180.638, 32
18-Bobby Labonte, 180.266, 53
07-Dave Blaney, 179.614, 29
37-Kevin Lepage, 179.605, 18
45-Kyle Petty, 179.431, 49
11-Jason Leffler, 178.813, 42
2-Rusty Wallace, 178.694, 27
66-Mike Garvey, 178.646, 11
77-Travis Kvapil, 178.135, 43
See Cummulative Test Speeds for all four days on my 2005 Testing Page.
Tickets: To purchase tickets, camping or parking for the 12th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, contact the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, (317) 492-6700 locally or log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(driver quotes about practice, photos and more at the IMS Site)(7-13-2005)
