Just like usual in early January, #2-Kurt Busch was back in the cockpit of a car at a track doing testing. Except this was different. Busch was at Texas Motor Speedway instead of Daytona and taking part in a Goodyear tire test rather than an open test for Penske Racing. With NASCAR’s new ban on testing at all of its sanctioned tracks, including the traditional “preseason” Daytona 500 testing that usually would be taking place about now, the tire test at Texas provided a now-rare chance to run test laps on a track where Sprint Cup races will be held. #00-David Reutimann, who drives the primary car for Michael Waltrip Racing, said sponsorship for his car is lined up for only half the season. Despite the lack of sponsorship, Reutimann is confident that he will be able to run a full season and that limits on testing help ease some of the financial burden. Busch, Reutimann, #31-Jeff Burton and #28-Travis Kvapil participated in the Texas test, the first official session this season for Goodyear and likely the only NASCAR test of any kind on the 1 1/2-mile high-banked track that will host two Cup races this season.(Associated Press)(1-9-2009)
