Thirteen Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams completed an organizational test at Phoenix Raceway on Wednesday. The four sessions over two days featured the 2017 rules package, the on-track return of #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., a trio of Rookie of the Year candidates and Stewart-Haas Racing’s debut with Ford. Earnhardt, who was sidelined with concussion-like symptoms halfway through last season, posted the fastest lap overall at 26.555 seconds (135.568 mph), coming in Wednesday’s morning session. Earnhardt is a three-time winner at Phoenix and has finished eighth or better in six of his last seven races there. #77-Erik Jones, #19-Daniel Suarez and #13-Ty Dillon made up the rookies at the test, each debuting with new teams this season. Dillon, driving the #13 Chevrolet for Germain Racing, was second fastest (26.722 seconds) in the afternoon on the first day. #22-Joey Logano (26.674 seconds) topped Tuesday’s opening session while #42-Kyle Larson was quickest in the afternoon sessions both days – 26.586 and 26.667 seconds, respectively. #4-Kevin Harvick made his debut in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing after the organization made a manufacturer switch in the off-season. Harvick was fourth fastest Wednesday morning (26.685 seconds) and second in the final session (26.698 seconds).(Motor Racing Network), lap times from each session are posted at JeffGluck.com.
