Speed – and plenty of it – was the buzz word at Pocono Raceway during the second of two days of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing at the newly-paved 2.5-mile triangular-shaped track as teams prepare for Sunday’s Pocono 400 Presented by #NASCAR. Kasey Kahne put down the overall fastest lap of the test at 179.490 mph during today’s afternoon session. A.J. Allmendinger set the pace in the morning session at 177.190 mph – well ahead of the 175.380 mph fast lap Mark Martin recorded on Wednesday. A total of 41 cars tested today; yesterday 36 cars were on track. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition, said the test was a success from NASCAR’s perspective. ‘It’s been really smooth,’ Pemberton said. ‘All in all it’s been really positive in the garage area. [The track is] definitely faster but with the amount of grip that’s here, you ‘ll see the grooves widen out. With the 400 mile race and the outstanding job Goodyear did with these tires, I think we ‘re in for an exceptional weekend.’(NASCAR)(6-7-2012)
