Jayski's® Silly Season Site - 2004 Cup Testing News

2004 CUP TESTING NEWS

TESTING NOTES: what you see posted here is all I know about testing
I do not know of any other sites that have testing news or I'd post the link
Some teams test and there is no report on it, some tracks do not release speeds

How many tests can each team have?

2004
Each team (consisting of a car #) are allowed five two-day private-car tests and four single-day tests (14 total days).
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 9,10,22,25,30,77) are permitted seven two-day tests and five single-day tests (19 total days) at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks such as:
Kentucky Speedway, Greensville-Pickens Speedway, USA Intl Speedway in Lakeland FL, Nashville Superspeedway
Texas World Speedway, Virginia Intl Raceway, plus proving grounds such as General Motors facility in Mesa, AZ, Ford's in Yucca, AZ and Dodge uses Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.
ALL teams get charged a two-day test date for the Daytona 500.
AND - For new Cup and Busch teams or those not among the top 45 in the 2003 owner points and/or in the top 45 in the current season’s owner points will receive one two-day test and one single-day test (total of three days) until they attempt to qualify for a race. Each time a qualification attempt is made, teams will receive an additional two-day/single-day allotment, up to the maximum amount.

2003
Each team (consisting of a car #) can test up to five times at a track that holds a Cup race.
Each test can last two days.
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 0,14,16,41,42,66,74) can test nine times at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks such as: Kentucky Speedway, Greensville-Pickens Speedway, USA Intl Speedway in Lakeland FL, Nashville Superspeedway
Texas World Speedway, Virginia Intl Raceway, plus proving grounds such as General Motors facility in Mesa, AZ, Ford's in Yucca, AZ and Dodge uses Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.
ALL teams get charged a Test date for the Daytona 500, whether they test or not.

2002
Each team (consisting of a car #) can test up to seven times at a track that holds a Cup race.
Each test can last two days.
A team with a rookie driver (#'s 12,48,59) can test 12 times at a Cup track.
Teams can test unlimted amount at non Cup tracks (Kentucky, Greensville-Pickens, Lakeland, Nashville, etc)
ALL teams get charged a Test date for Daytona, Indy and Las Vegas whether they test or not.

RaceWeather.net - Test Date Forecasts

2004 Daytona testing:
Jan. 6-8 - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing (odd owner's points)
SPEEDS: on my 2004 Daytona 500 - Session 1 [Day 1-3] Speeds, Info, Pics Page.
Jan. 10-12 - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing
Jan. 13-15 - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing (even owner's points)
Jan. 17-18 - NASCAR Busch Series testing (odd owner's points)
Jan. 20-21 - NASCAR Busch Series testing (even owner's points)

2004 Daytona 500 Testing - Session 1

2004 Daytona 500 Testing - Session 2

BEEN ASKED why no times/speeds....easy, most teams or tracks do not supply speeds / times of their practice sessions, so there is nothing to post on that. If I get the sppeds, I post them. Also, some teams test and it goes unreported, so making a chart and seeing how many test dates they have left is near impossible......thanks...

Bliss tests at Lakeland: hearing Mike Bliss tested the #0 NetZero Chevy at Lakeland, FL on Tuesday.(12-22-2004)

Kvapil tests at Lakeland: New Penske Racing rookie Travis Kvapil tested with the #77 Kodak team at Lakeland, FL.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(12-20-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway was host to 10 teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Jason Leffler. Evernham Motorsports was testing its new Chargers at Kentucky with Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne. Evernham was instrumental in the development of the new Charger, which is expected to have less drag and be considerably stronger on superspeedways.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(12-20-2004)

Testing Cold at Kentucky: Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Jason Leffler, Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney, Mike Bliss and Justin Labonte braved morning temperatures in the teens to gain a feel for their 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series race packages at Kentucky Speedway today. Former NEXTEL Cup Series Champions Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte worked with new Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Jason Leffler to test six 2005 cars. Bliss, who earned his full-time ride in the No. 0 NetZero Chevrolet for 2005 with a 10th-place finish in the car at Darlington Raceway last season, tested with new Crew Chief Robert "Bootie" Barker to prepare for his first run at the full NEXTEL Cup Series schedule since 2000. Bliss said the reduction in spoiler height made a difference when his car ran in traffic. Testing continues tomorrow at Kentucky Speedway when Roush Racing driver Greg Biffle joins the Gibbs teams.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(12-16-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: quite a few Nextel Cup teams are scheduled to test at the Ketucky Speedway from Dec 15th thru 17th.Fans are able to view testing from the area outside the speedway Fan Center in Turn 3 at no charge. Scheduled Teams and Drivers:
#11-Jason Leffler, Dec 15-16
#18-Bobby Labonte, Dec 15-16
#20-Tony Stewart, Dec 15-16
#91-Bill Elliott, Dec 15th
#9-Kasey Kahne, Dec 15th
#19-Jeremy Mayfield, Dec 15th
#31-Jeff Burton, Dec 15th
#0-Mike Bliss / Justin Labonte, Dec 15th
#14-John Andretti, Dec 15th
#16-Greg Biffle. Dec 16-17
(Kentucky Speedway PR)(12-14-2004)

Testing at Nashville UPDATE: #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #32-Bobby Hamilton, Jr are scheduled to test at the Nashville Superspeedway Tuesday, December 7.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(12-5-2004)
UPDATE: #19-Mayfield and #9-Kasey Kahne tested at Nashville Superspeedway, but #32-Bobby Hamilton cancelled.(12-8-2004)

Testing at Nashville: hearing that #41 Casey Mears and Busch Driver David Stremme tested at Nashville Superspeedway yesterday and will test there today also.(12-2-2004)

West Coast Testing at California/Las Vegas UPDATE: NASCAR plans to allow Nextel Cup teams two days of preseason testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway while being charged for only one test. Las Vegas will be open from Jan. 31-Feb. 2. California Speedway will be available Feb. 1-3.(ESPN.com/AP)(11-15-2004)
UPDATE: In a cost-saving measure with competition benefits, NASCAR also will give its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams the opportunity to conduct a combination preseason test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams will be permitted to test a maximum of two days at each track. Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be available to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams Jan. 31 through Feb. 2, and California Speedway will be available Feb. 1-3, eliminating the expense of making two separate trips for tests at those respective tracks. “This benefit to the teams would not have been possible without the cooperation and willingness of both Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway,” Darby said. “We expect the teams to take full advantage of the opportunity.” The tests at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway will serve as the western swing of NASCAR Preseason Thunder, which kicks off the 2005 season with sessions Jan. 11-13 and 18-20 at Daytona International Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(11-15-2004)

Testing at Kentucky this week:
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing At Kentucky Speedway:
November 15th, #8-DEI [cancelled]; #9-Kasey Kahne, #30-Jeff Burton
November 17th, #32-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
Fans can view testing from a designated area outside the speedway Fan Center in Turn 3.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-15-2004)

Tests Left? UPDATE number of: The NASCAR Nextel Cup championship could be decided by what happens at empty race tracks days before the series races at those places. Some teams saved their test sessions for the final 10 races, while others used most of their tests to assure that they'll make the championship chase. Tests are valuable because teams typically have only two hours of practice before qualifying and 90 minutes of practice the day before the race. Test sessions usually last eight hours, giving teams time to try different setups.
#17-Matt Kenseth has saved all but one test for the final 10 races. He's scheduled to test at Martinsville, Dover, Atlanta, Homestead, Phoenix and a track to be determined.
#48-Jimmie Johnson has four test sessions left. Crew chief Chad Knaus says they plan to test at Martinsville, Talladega, Phoenix and Homestead.
#24-Jeff Gordon has four test sessions left and is planning to test at Martinsville, Dover, Phoenix and Homestead.
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to test at Kansas City, Homestead, Dover and Martinsville.
#20-Tony Stewart has three tests and is expected to test at Darlington and Homestead with another track to be decided.
#97-Kurt Busch plans to test at: Kansas, Lowe's, Martinsville and Homestead.
#38-Elliott Sadler, has two sessions left. The team has not decided where it will go.(Roanoke Times)(9-12/19-2004)
LEFT:[unofficial updated 10-22-2004]
#24-Gordon, 4 [3 after Dover's test; 2 after Lowe's, 1 after Phoenix]

#48-Johnson, 4 [3 after Talladega, 2 after Martinsville]

#8-Earnhardt Jr. [3 after Dover's test, 2 after Kansas, 1 after Martinsville]

#20-Stewart, 3

#17-Kenseth, 7 [6 after Dover's test, 5 after Kansas, 4 after Martinsville, 3 after Atlanta, 2 after Phoenix, 1 after Homestead]

#38-Sadler, 2 [1 after Martinsville]

#97-Busch, 4 [3 after Martinsville, 2 after Homestead]

#6-Martin, 2 [1 after Atlanta]

#19-Mayfield, 1 [none after Martinsville]

#12-Newman, 2 [1 after Atlanta]
(NASCAR Scene Print)(9-17/10-22-2004)

Martin fastest at Wed. Homestead testing: #6-Mark Martin set the fastest lap Wednesday during the final day of testing in preparation for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov 18-21. Martin set a fast lap of 176.759 mph (30.55 sec). For more information, or to order tickets to Ford Championship Weekend, call (305) 230-RACE or log on homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Unofficial times and speeds for selected drivers during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing November 9-10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series:
1. 6- Mark Martin- 30.55 sec, 176.759 mph
2. 24- Jeff Gordon 30.79 sec, 175.382 mph
3. 48- Jimmie Johnson- 31.02 sec, 174.081 mph
4. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr- 31.10 sec, 173.633 mph
5. 20- Tony Stewart- 31.10 sec, 173.633 mph
6. 38- Elliott Sadler- 31.11 sec, 173.576 mph
7. 15- Michael Waltrip- 31.21 sec, 173.025 mph
8. 9- Kasey Kahne- 31.23 sec, 172.911 mph
9. 21- Ricky Rudd- 31.24 sec, 172.855 mph
10. 06- Travis Kvapil- 31.25 sec, 172.800.(HMS PR)(11-11-2004)

Jeff Gordon fastest in Homestead testing: Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon set the fastest lap of the day Tuesday as a total of 35 racecars took laps in preparation for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov 18-21. Eight NASCAR Busch Series drivers also took laps in preparation for the Ford 300 NASCAR Busch Series finale Nov. 20. NASCAR Busch Series points-leader Martin Truex Jr. was quickest among the Busch Series drivers with a lap of 171.320mph. Testing continues Wednesday with all 35 drivers that participated Tuesday expected to again turn laps. Testing is open to the public free of charge. Fans may view the testing from the Speedway's Club Level. For more information, or to order tickets to Ford Championship Weekend, call (305) 230-RACE or log on homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Unofficial times and speeds for selected drivers during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing and NASCAR Busch Series testing November 9 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway:
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series:
1. 24-Jeff Gordon- 31.00 sec, 174.194mph
2. 8- Dale Earnhardt Jr- 31.01 sec, 174.137 mph
3. 6- Mark Martin- 31.09 sec, 173.689 mph
4. 48- Jimmie Johnson- 31.26 sec, 172.745 mph
4. 42- Jamie McMurray- 31.31 sec, 172.467 mph
6. 30- Jeff Burton- 31.38 sec, 172.084 mph
7. 21- Ricky Rudd- 31.40 sec, 171.975 mph
8. 18- Bobby Labonte- 31.42 sec, 171.865 mph
9. 20- Tony Stewart- 31.47 sec, 171.592 mph
10. 38- Elliott Sadler- 31.58 sec, 170.994 mph.(11-9-2004)

Homestead testing Today: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing continues at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a two-day session on Tuesday, November 9 and Wednesday, November 10 featuring seven out of the top-10 drivers competing in the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. A total of 28 drivers are scheduled to test in preparation for the upcoming Ford Championship Weekend, the season-finales for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, Nov. 18-21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The test sessions are open and free to the public each day from 9 am - 5 pm with seating in the Speedway Club level. Driver participation is subject to change. For more information or to order tickets to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, please call (305) 230-RACE or log on homesteadmiamispeedway.com
Homestead-Miami Speedway NASCAR Testing Schedule
(Driver Participation Subject to Change)
Tuesday, November 9 - Wednesday, November 10
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Drivers:
#6-Mark Martin; #99-Carl Edwards; #38-Elliott Sadler;
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.; #15-Michael Waltrip; #24-Jeff Gordon;
#48-Jimmie Johnson; #19-Jeremy Mayfield; #21-Ricky Rudd;
#30-Jeff Burton; #49-Ken Schrader; #59-Klaus Graf;
#70-Larry Foyt (3rd BAM Racing Dodge); #01-Joe Nemechek;
#36-Boris Said; #42-Jamie McMurray; #41-Casey Mears;
#11-J.J. Yeley; #18-Bobby Labonte; #20-Tony Stewart;
#06-Travis Kvapil.(HMS PR)(11-9-2004)

Kahne to test at Kentucky next week: #9-Kasey Kahne is scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Monday, November 15. Test sessions begin at approximately 9:00am. Fans can view testing from the designated area outside the speedway Fan Center in Turn 3.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-9-2004)

Kenseth fastest at Homestead testing on Wednesday: Defending series champion Matt Kenseth set the fastest lap of the day Wednesday in the second day of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing in preparation for Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 18-21, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kenseth circled the 1.5 mile oval in his #17 Dewalt Ford Tuesday with a speed of 174.194mph (31.04 sec.). He was followed by Kyle Petty's #45 Georgia Pacific Dodge at 173.633 mph (31.10 sec.) and Busch's #97 Sharpie Ford at 173.054 mph (31.25 sec.). Testing continues next Tuesday and Wednesday November 9-10 with 20 drivers tentatively scheduled to test on the high-banked 1.5 mile oval, including championship contenders Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Testing is open to the public free of charge. Fans may view the testing from the Speedway's Club Level.
Tentative list of drivers participating in Nov 8 and 9 test (subject to change).
#6-Mark Martin, #38-Elliott Sadler, #99-Carl Edwards, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #15-Michael Waltrip, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #29-Kevin Harvick, #30-Jeff Burton, #49-Ken Schrader, #59-Klaus Graf, #42-Jamie McMurray, #41-Casey Mears, #11-J.J. Yeley, #18-Bobby Labonte, #20-Tony Stewart and #06-Travis Kvapil
Unofficial times and speeds for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing November 3 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1. 17- Matt Kenseth- 31.04 sec, 174.194 mph
2. 45- Kyle Petty- 31.10 sec, 173.633 mph
3. 97- Kurt Busch- 31.25 sec, 173.054 mph
(HMS PR)(11-4-2004)

Homestead Testing UPDATE: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing opens at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a two-day session on Tuesday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 3 featuring current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series points leader Kurt Busch and 2003 Series Champion Matt Kenseth. The drivers will be preparing for the upcoming Ford Championship Weekend, the season-finales for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, Nov. 18-21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. On Tuesday, November 9 and Wednesday, November 10, over 20 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series drivers are also scheduled to test at the Speedway. Drivers scheduled to participate on Nov. 9-10 include Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup contenders Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, and Tony Stewart. The test sessions are open and free to the public each day from 9 am - 5 pm with seating in the Speedway Club level. Driver participation is subject to change. For more information or to order tickets to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, please call (305) 230-RACE or log on homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Homestead-Miami Speedway NASCAR Testing Schedule
(Driver Participation Subject to Change)
Tuesday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 3
#97-Kurt Busch, #17-Matt Kenseth
Tuesday, November 9 - Wednesday, November 10
#6-Mark Martin #99-Carl Edwards, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #15-Michael Waltrip, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #29-Kevin Harvick, #30-Jeff Burton, #49-Ken Schrader, #59-Klaus Graf, #42-Jamie McMurray, #41-Casey Mears, #11-J.J. Yeley, #18-Bobby Labonte, #20-Tony Stewart, #06-Travis Kvapil.(HMS PR)(10-30-2004)
UPDATE - Speeds: Kurt Busch in his #97 Sharpie Ford was fastest as testing opened Tuesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch's lap of 173.077 mph (31.23 sec) bested three other cars including teammate Matt Kenseth on the first day of the two-day session. The teams were preparing for the upcoming Ford Championship Weekend, the season-finales for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, Nov. 18-21, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Defending series champion Kenseth was second fastest in his #17 Dewalt Tools Ford with a lap of 172.524 mph (31.34 secs). Kenseth was followed by Jeff Green in the #43 Cheerios Dodge at 171.975 (31.40 sec.) and Kyle Petty in his No. 45 Georgia Pacific Dodge at 170.866 mph (31.59 sec). Testing continues Wednesday with Busch, Kenseth, and Petty at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Testing is open to the public free of charge. Fans may view tomorrow's testing from the Speedway's Club Level. For more information or to order tickets to Ford Championship Weekend, call (305) 230-RACE or log on homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Unofficial times and speeds for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing November 2 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway:
1. 97-Kurt Busch- 31.23 sec, 173.077 mph
2. 17- Matt Kenseth- 31.34 sec, 172.524 mph
3. 43- Jeff Green- 31.40 sec, 171.975 mph
4. 45- Kyle Petty- 31.59 sec, 170.866 mph
(HMS PR)(11-3-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway's weekly schedule shows two drivers planning Nextel Cup tests on Wednesday. Jeremy Mayfield is scheduled to be on hand in Evernham Motorsports' #19 Dodge along with Blake Feese in a research-and-development car from Hendrick Motorsports. The track permits spectators to watch from its fan center but cautions that schedules are subject to change.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(11-2-2004)

Wimmer testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway says Scott Wimmer was scheduled to test Bill Davis Racing's #22 Dodge at the facility today. Spectators may watch from the track's fan center, but schedules are subject to change..(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(10-26-2004)

NASCAR Gives Up? NASCAR officials have apparently given up trying to rein in testing by Cup teams. Earlier this season NASCAR reportedly considered asking Goodyear to control tires as a means of limiting testing. But that proposal has apparently gone by the wayside.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-24-2004)

Martin Fastest in testing at Atlanta: With the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend only a week away, the garages were full on Wednesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway as 16 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch teams prepared their vehicles. Mark Martin topped the unofficial speed chart during the day/night test, piloting his #6 Viagra Ford around the 1.54-mile quad-oval in 30.00 seconds (184.800 mph). Martin also tested Monday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and then waited out the weather that hit metro Atlanta on Tuesday to stay and finish testing on Wednesday. It was a little longer than he intended to stay in Hampton, but Martin said it was worth it. "With five races left, and the championship on the line, we have no room for error," Martin said. "We've got to have great finishes - and a lot of luck - to get back to the top." Second fastest during Wednesday's test was John Andretti in the #14 VB Ford with a lap around the fast track in 30.07 seconds (184.370mph). On the Busch side of the garage, Boston Reid led the unofficial speed chart wit a lap of 31.00 seconds (178.839 mph).
Unofficial Speed Results
NEXTEL Cup:
#6-Martin - 30.00 seconds (184.800mph)
#14-Andretti - 30.07 (184.370)
#43-Green - 30.38 (182.488)
#33-Earnhardt- 30.55 (181.473)
#17-Kenseth - 30.55 (181.473)
#02-Blaney - 30.58 (181.295)
#45-Petty - 30.82 (179.883)
#15-Waltrip - 31.04 (178.436)
#1-Truex Jr.- 31.12 (178.149)
#80-Yeley - 31.42 (176.448)
#41-Mears - 32.03 (173.088)
Busch:
#87-Reid - 31.00 seconds (178.839 mph)
#21-Bowyer - 31.27 seconds (177.295 mph)
#41-Sorenson - 32.03 seconds (173.088 mph)
#11-Menard - 31.73 seconds (174.724 mph)
#96-Crosby - 33.76seconds (154.218 mph)
The NASCAR drivers will return to Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend for the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. Great seats still remain, and three-day tickets start at just $69. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211.(AMS PR)(10-21-2004)

Darlington Testing Schedule for Next Week: The testing schedule for next Tuesday, October 26, includes confirmed teams and drivers of:
DEI (team confirmed, driver or drivers unspecified); #18-Bobby Labonte; #32-Bobby Hamilton Jr.; #0-Ward Burton; #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Matt Kenseth and #30-Jeff Burton, along with Biffle's #60 Busch team.(Darlington Raceway PR)(10-19-2004)

Martin Tests at Atlanta on Monday, more on Tues: Three of NASCAR's frontrunners for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch series championships tested Monday at Atlanta Motor Speedway in preparation for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend. Leading the way on the unofficial speed chart was NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship contender Mark Martin. Martin, who is currently fifth in the NEXTEL Cup standings, piloted his #6 Viagra Ford around the 1.54-mile quad-oval in 30.04 seconds (184.554 mph). Also testing with Martin were the top two drivers in the NASCAR Busch championship chase. Although #5-Kyle Busch currently trails leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. by 144 points, he was a step ahead during Monday's test, gunning his #5 Lowe's Chevrolet around the fastest speedway in NASCAR in 30.23 seconds (183.394 mph). Truex was a tick behind at 30.35 seconds (182.669 mph). Testing will continue this week with Martin, Busch, Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Reed Sorenson, Casey Mears, Carl Edwards, John Andretti, J.J. Yeley, Kyle Petty, Justin Ashburn, Jeff Green, Hermie Sadler, and Boston Reid all scheduled to test. All tests sessions are closed to the public.(AMS PR)(10-19-2004)

Elliott tests at Atlanta: Georgia's own Bill Elliott tested his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car Tuesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway in preparation for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops 500 weekend. Elliott - a Dawsonville, Ga., native - returned to his home track to prepare for what will be the seventh of eight races he is running during this season's limited schedule. Elliott circled the 1.54-mile track Tuesday in his #98 McDonald's Dodge in 29.82 seconds (185.915 mph). He was joined during the test by a contingent of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers [for those speeds, see my Truck Series page]. Atlanta Motor Speedway testing will continue throughout the next week as drivers prepare for the upcoming Oct. 29-31 race weekend. Elliott will continue testing Wednesday, while #6-Mark Martin, #99-Carl Edwards (Cup car), #17-Matt Kenseth, Reed Sorenson, and Boston Reid are scheduled to test next week. All tests sessions are closed to the public, but make sure to check the AMS website at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com for daily updates.(AMS PR)(10-13-2004)

Tuesday Testing at Martinsville: Another day of testing at Martinsville Speedway and another assault on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup track qualifying record. Nine drivers tested at the venerable half-mile track Tuesday in preparation for the October 24th running of the SUBWAY 500. Three drivers, #43-Jeff Green, #0-Ward Burton and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted times under the track record and seven of the nine were within striking distance. Eight of the nine drivers recorded times quicker than Jeff Gordon's pole-winning time a year ago. The reason for the quicker speeds was simple according to Net Zero driver Ward Burton: the track's new surface. "They did a fabulous job of the repaving," said Burton. The speeds:
#43-Jeff Green, 19.78 seconds, 95.733mph
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 19.80, 95.636
#0-Ward Burton, 19.85, 95.395
#10-Scott Riggs, 19.87, 95.299
#49-Ken Schrader, 19.88, 95.252
#17-Matt Kenseth, 19.90, 95.156
#01-Joe Nemechek, 19.91, 95.108
#15-Michael Waltrip, 20.00, 94.680
#59-Klaus Graff, 20.30, 93.281
Track Record set by Tony Stewart in 2000, 19.85, 95.395mph
Wed:Riggs is the only driver out of those testing Tuesday who will definitely return Wednesday. #2-Rusty Wallace is also scheduled to test on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tickets for both the SUBWAY 500 on Sunday, October 24, and the Kroger 200 NASACAR Craftsman Truck Series race, on Saturday, Saturday, October 23, are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. SUBWAY 500 tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com Anyone buying a SUBWAY 500 ticket between now and October 15 can receive $5 off the purchase of a Kroger 200 ticket. Children's truck tickets are discounted $1 when bought with a SUBWAY 500 ticket.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(10-13-2004)

Testing at Atlanta Monday = Newman: #12-Ryan Newman tested at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Monday [Oct 11th]. Newman has won three straight pole positions at Atlanta and while he will be trying for four straight poles and a win, Newman will also be fighting for the $1 million payoff that goes to this year's Crown Royal IROC champion. Newman was the only NEXTEL Cup driver who tested Monday at Atlanta. He led the unofficial speed chart by circling the 1.54-mile quad-oval in 29.70 seconds (186.667 mph), leading the brigade of seven Ford and one Toyota Craftsman Truck Series drivers who also tested Monday. Carl Edwards, who is running in both the Craftsman Truck and NEXTEL Cup series, was the fastest Ford Truck on Monday, turning in a lap in 31.05 seconds (178.551 mph). Newman leads fellow NEXTEL Cup driver Matt Kenseth by just four points in the standings for the Crown Royal IROC series.. At the end of the Atlanta race, points will be tallied and a champion of champions will be named. For the first time in history, the Crown Royal IROC champion will pocket a cool million. That's a major increase from the 2003 season, when champion Kurt Busch received $250,000, a series record. Newman tested his NEXTEL Cup car, trying to learn as much as he could both for the upcoming Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta and the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a sister track of Atlanta.
NASCAR testing will continue with the throughout the next two weeks, as drivers prepare for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. Dawsonville's Bill Elliott will be on hand to test Tuesday [Oct 12th] and Wednesday [Oct 13th], while Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, local racer Reed Sorenson and many more are slated to test next week. All test sessions are closed to public.(AMS PR), see the Truck Series page for speeds of eight drivers who tested there.(10-11-2004)

Martinsville Testing: the following drivers are scheduled to test for the upcoming Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway:
Oct. 12 - #17-Matt Kenseth, #01-Joe Nemechek, #10-Scott Riggs; #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #15-Michael Waltrip, #0-Ward Burton, #49-Ken Schrader
Oct. 13 - #01-Joe Nemechek and #10-Scott Riggs.(Martinsville Speedway PR) and #2-Rusty Wallace mentioned on Trackside last Friday that he would test there also, not sure which day.(10-11-2004)

Burton tests at Caraway: Jeff Burton and the #30 AOL Race Team tested Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.) Tuesday, Oct. 5 in preparation for the upcoming Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway.(RCR PR)(10-8-2004)

Speeds faster at Wed Martinsville test: Five NEXTEL Cup teams tested Wednesday at Martinsville Speedway for the upcoming Subway 500 on Oct. 24th [tickets available, see martinsvillespeedway.com - link fixed or call 877.RACE.TIX]. Only speedw reported, #40-Sterling Marlin and #48-Jimmie Johnson each ran a lap of 96.612mph, the qualifying record is held by Tony Stewart at 95.252. Other drivers testing Wednesday included #21-Ricky Rudd, #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #22-Scott Wimmer.(Martinsville Speedway PR), also, with the repaving and new concrete, the curbs were redone and are still there, no longer 6" high and at an angle instead if straight.(10-7-2004)

Martinsville Testing UPDATE: the following drivers are scheduled to test for the upcoming Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway:
Oct. 5 - #97-Kurt Busch, #16-Greg Biffle, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmy Johnson, #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #40-Sterling Marlin
Oct. 6 - #97-Kurt Busch, #21-Ricky Rudd, #48-Jimmy Johnson, #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #40-Sterling Marlin.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(10-1-2004)
UPDATE - Gordon faster then track record: #24-Jeff Gordon was pleased with the resurfacing results at Martinsville Speedway as he and seven drivers tested the new concrete/asphalt. And it only took a glance at the stopwatch to understand why. Gordon's best lap time of the day was 19.80 seconds, quicker than the track record of 19.88 seconds/95.252mph, set by Tony Stewart in 2000.
Other speeds:
#48-Johnson, 19.90 / 95.156
#97-Busch, 20.05 / 94.444
#40-Marlin, 20.06 / 94.397
#22-Wimmer, 20.10 / 94.209
#19-Mayfield, 20:10 / 94.209
#38-Sadler, 20.20 / 93.743
Busch, Johnson, Mayfield and Marlin will return for a second day of testing Wednesday while #21-Ricky Rudd will be on track for a single day of testing in the Wood Brothers Ford.(Martinsville Speedway PR)(10-6-2004)

Hamilton Jr. tests at Atlanta Monday; Green scheduled Tuesday UPDATE: #32-Bobby Hamilton Jr. tested Monday at Atlanta Motor Speedway along with NASCAR Busch series drivers #32-David Stremme and #47-Robert Pressley in preparation for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend. Hamilton's #32 Tide Chevrolet topped the day's unofficial speed chart, turning a lap of 29.55 seconds (187.614 mph). Stremme was second fastest in the #32 Trimspa Dodge with a lap of 30.01 seconds (184.738 mph); Pressley was just behind Stremme, recording a lap at 30.26 seconds (183.212 mph). With just a few weeks to settle into his new role at PPI Motorsports, Hamilton Jr. and the team used Monday's test as a training ground. They experimented with an array of spoilers, springs and tires, trying to hit on the perfect combination for the high banks and fast speeds of Atlanta's quad-oval. NASCAR testing will continue throughout the next three weeks as drivers prepare for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. All test sessions are closed to public.(AMS PR)(10-5-2004)
UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton Jr. pushed his #32 Tide Chevrolet over the 189-mph mark Tuesday as he continued testing for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Also testing Tuesday were NASCAR Craftsman Truck series drivers Matt Crafton, Dennis Setzer, David Starr and Jack Sprague. Hamilton topped the day's unofficial speed chart with a lap of 29.27 seconds (189.409 mph).(AMS PR)(10-6-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: #88-Dale Jarrett is scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway, Tuesday, Oct 5th; on Oct 6th, #77-Brendan Gaughan [wonder if Kvapil will run?] and #25-Brian Vickers will test. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(10-5-2004)

Andretti and Johnson Set the Pace at Lowe's Testing: John Andretti and Jimmie Johnson led the unofficial speed parade at Lowe's Motor Speedway Wednesday night as 26 NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series teams wrapped up NASCAR testing for UAW-GM Quality 500 Week on Oct. 13-16. The unofficial stopwatches caught Andretti's #14 ppc Racing Ford at 181.751 mph, just a tick faster than the lap he recorded to top the NEXTEL Cup speed chart during Tuesday night's testing session. The cars Andretti drove were recently purchased from Robert Yates Racing and veteran Yates crew members Pete Peterson and Frank Good were among those assisting ppc Racing's new crew chief, Dave Charpentier. Andretti and the ppc Racing team are scheduled to make their debut in the UAW-GM Quality 500 Saturday night, Oct. 16, at Lowe's Motor Speedway and full details of the effort, including a sponsor, are expected to be revealed in the next two weeks.
On the NASCAR Busch Series side of the garage, Johnson showed there is a distinct possibility he could drive the #48 SpongeBob SquarePants Chevrolet to victory in the Lowe's presents The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 300 on Friday night, Oct. 15. Johnson's best unofficial lap at 179.850 mph was nearly two miles per hour quicker than the second-fastest car and was considerably faster than the speed he topped the charts with on Tuesday. There were no spins or accidents and the only caution flag came late in the five-hour session when Robby Benton's Busch Series car dropped oil on the track.
Testing for UAW-GM Quality 500 Week events continues Tuesday evening, Oct. 5, when the stock cars of the American Speed Association take to the track in preparation for the Aaron's 99 on Thursday night, Oct. 14. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title contender Mark Martin, a four-time ASA champion, is among those scheduled to participate.
Tickets for all October events at Lowe's Motor Speedway are still available and can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Speeds:
#14-John Andretti, 181.751;
#45-Kyle Petty, 178.921;
#0-Ward Burton, 177.474;
#5-Terry Labonte, 176.829;
#13-Greg Sacks, 175.171.
NASCAR Busch Series speeds:
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 179.850;
#60-Greg Biffle, 177.971;
#20-Mike Bliss, 176.846;
#8-Martin Truex Jr., 176.586;
#87-Joe Nemechek, 176.534;
#41-Casey Mears, 176.384;
#5-Kyle Busch, 176.298;
#27-Johnny Sauter, 175.833;
#22-Jason Keller, 175.376;
#31-Todd Bodine, 31, 174.076.(LMS PR)(9-30-2004)

Atlanta Testing starts today with Kenny Wallace UPDATE: many Nextel Cup teams have scheduled tests for the next three weeks at Atlanta Motor Speedway as drivers prepare for the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend, the seventh of 10 races in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. Kenny Wallace will kick off testing season tomorrow by practicing his #1 Aaron's Chevrolet for the Oct. 31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 NEXTEL Cup race. Wallace's test will serve a dual purpose, as he will be competing in both the Oct. 30 Aaron's 312 and the Oct. 31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. Next week the testing will begin in earnest, as Jeff Green is scheduled to test his #43 Cheerios car for Petty Enterprises on Monday, Oct. 4. The General Motors NASCAR Craftsman truck teams will take over on Tuesday, Oct. for a two-day test, as they get a head start on next year's two Craftsman Truck races at Atlanta. The Ford Craftsman Truck teams will be doing the same during a one-day test Monday, Oct. 11. On Tuesday, Oct. 12, Dawsonville native and local racing hero Bill Elliott will return to Atlanta for a two-day test in his #98 McDonald's car. Elliott, who has run a limited schedule this year, will be returning to the driver's seat for the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at his home track. Roush Racing will follow on Elliott's heels, coming to Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 18 for a one-day test. With two drivers - #17-Matt Kenseth and #97-Kurt Busch - in the hunt for the championship, this will be an extremely important test session for the team. Nemco Motorsports will round out this fall's testing with a two-day session beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 19. All of these drivers will just be warming up for their big events during the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend. Great seats are still available, with three-day ticket packages starting at just $69, from the ticket office at (770) 946-4211.
AND see Atlanta Motor Speedway's new website at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(9-28-2004)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace led off the testing spree with his #00 Aaron's Chevrolet on Tuesday at AMS as he prepared his car for the Oct. 31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, the seventh of 10 races in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta is one of a handful of races that Wallace will drive for Michael Waltrip Racing in the team's fledgling NEXTEL Cup effort. Wallace spent the first half of Tuesday's test session working on race set-ups, then quickly turned to qualifying trim for the rest of the day. His fastest lap of the day was 30.35 seconds (183.143 mph), or roughly in the neighborhood that most teams reach during testing at Atlanta.(AMS PR)(9-30-2004)

Testing at Lowe's Motors Speedway UPDATE Tuesday Speeds: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series teams will test at Lowe's Motor Speedway Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Wednesday, Sept. 29, in preparation for the UAW-GM Quality 500 on Saturday night, Oct. 16, and the Lowe's presents The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 300 on Friday night, Oct. 15. Testing will run from 5:00 to 10:00pm/et each day/night.
Participants: In order for NASCAR teams to participate in the testing sessions, they must request a voucher from NASCAR. As of noon today, teams fielding cars for the following drivers had requested a voucher for at least one day of the two-day session.
NEXTEL Cup Series: #14-John Andretti, #16-Greg Biffle, #0-Ward Burton, ?-Larry Foyt, #24-Jeff Gordon, #93-Steve Grissom and #5-Terry Labonte.
Busch Series: Robby Benton, #60-Greg Biffle, #20-Mike Bliss, #31-Todd Bodine, #5-Kyle Busch, #49-Derrike Cope, Kertus Davis, #43-Aaron Fike, #36-Travis Geisler, #55-Robby Gordon, John Graham, #26-Mark Green, #24-Steve Grissom, #2-Ron Hornaday, #48-Jimmie Johnson [spongebob], #22-Jason Keller, #19-Bobby Labonte, cott Lynch, #05-Eric McClure, #41-Casey Mears, Brandon Miller, #47-Robert Pressley, #27-Johnny Sauter, #8-Martin Truex Jr. and #4-Mike Wallace.
Spectators: Lowe's Motor Speedway's main grandstand will be open free of charge during both testing sessions. Fans should enter through Gate 5A next to the ticket office on the second floor of Smith Tower.(LMS PR)(9-26/28-2004)
UPDATE: John Andretti and Jimmie Johnson topped the unofficial speed charts Tuesday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway as 22 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series teams took to the 1.5-mile superspeedway in preparation for UAW-GM Quality 500 Week Oct. 13-16. Making his maiden voyage in the #14 Ford fielded by ppc Racing, Andretti was caught on the unofficial watches at 180.222 mph to lead the six NEXTEL Cup teams participating in the five-hour session. With the new team having no provisional starting spots at its disposal, crew chief and veteran engineer Dave Charpentier first focused on getting Andretti comfortable in the car; then searched for the required speed to make the 43-car starting field for the UAW-GM Quality 500 on Saturday night, Oct. 16. On the NASCAR Busch Series side of the garage, Johnson's #48 SpongeBob SquarePants Chevrolet was fastest as 16 teams prepared for the Lowe's presents The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 300 on Friday night, Oct. 15. The caution flag was never unfurled as the entire session was run without incident.
Testing continues Wednesday evening at Lowe's Motor Speedway and fans can watch the action from the main grandstand free of charge. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series drivers will again share the track from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series speeds:
#14-John Andretti [ppc Racing], 180.222;
#24-Jeff Gordon, 178.968;
#0-Ward Burton, 178.701;
#16-Greg Biffle, 178.371;
#5-Terry Labonte, 176.962;
#13-Greg Sacks, 173.678
NASCAR Busch Series speeds:
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 176.678;
#20-Mike Bliss, 176.378;
#55-Robby Gordon, 176.056;
#5-Kyle Busch, 175.308;
#19-Bobby Labonte, 175.137.(LMS PR)(9-29-2004)

Testing at Kansas UPDATE: Jeff Burton and the #30 AOL Race Team are testing at Kansas Speedway Tues., Sept. 28 and Wed., Sept. 29 for the upcoming Banquet 400 Oct. 10. Been told some Roush teams are also testing at the track, #97-Busch was scheduled to test at Kansas.(9-28-2004)
UPDATE: also been told, testing were #17-Matt Kenseth, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #99-Carl Edwards, #49-Kenny Schrader, #30-Jeff Burton, and #18-Bobby Labonte. Also, the #26 KCR/LoveFiFi Busch Series car driven by Mark Green.(9-29-2004)

Tire Testing Ongoing: In the week that separated the Richmond International Raceway and New Hampshire International Speedway events several NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams tested the 2005 aero recipe at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These testing chores were handled by Ford driver Greg Biffle and Dodge pilots Casey Mears and Ryan Newman. The cars that were run were trimmed to ‘05 specifications, including a one-inch shorter spoiler. Mears upped the ante, driving one of the new ‘05 Dodge cars during the test [see images of the 2005 Dodge on my 2005 Cup Scheme page]. Goodyear engineers were also on hand with several of their ’05 tire packages, testing to see if the computer simulations used to design tires were as accurate as Goodyear engineers’ predictions. This test, the second of three planned, gave the Vegas track it’s chance to shine. Earlier this month tests were performed at Bristol Motor Speedway. A test was scheduled the week before the Richmond event for Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but rain caused a reschedule for sometime in the immediate future [with Mark Martin testing]. Biffle told www.teamfordracing.com at NHIS that he found the new configuration incredibly different from what's being run this year; and he has concerns that perhaps the cars were tossed into a performance area where none but the most sound drivers will be able to handle the machines.(Team For Racing)(9-25-2004)

Edwards Tests for Roush Racing at Talladega Superspeedway: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship contender Carl Edwards drove a NEXTEL Cup car around Talladega Superspeedway’s 2.66-mile tri-oval for the first time Wednesday, testing the #17 Fords of Roush Racing teammate and NEXTEL Cup Championship Contender Matt Kenseth. Lately Edwards has been on the racetrack most weekends and during the week, too, testing cars for Roush as he was today at Talladega. This weekend, he will qualify the #99 NEXTEL Cup car at Dover on Friday, fly to Las Vegas to run the Craftsman Truck Series race that evening, then fly back to Dover to run the Cup race on Sunday. The next week, the NEXTEL Cup Series will make its way to Talladega Superspeedway for the EA SPORTS 500, the third race in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.(Talladega Superspeedway)(9-23-2004)

Mayfield and others test at Kentucky: Kentucky native #19-Jeremy Mayfield began his climb from the bottom of the "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup" standings with a one-day test at Kentucky Speedway Wednesday. Current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rookie points leader Kasey Kahne and 16th- and 17t -place drivers Michael Waltrip and Rusty Wallace also tested today. Drivers also mixed business with pleasure by taking time out to address 23 students who were visiting the speedway to take part in the Kentucky State Patrol "Drive To Stay Alive" program. The program entails one week of safety and driving skills training. Program graduates will return to schools throughout the state to educate their fellow students. Drivers spoke about the value of wearing seat belts, gave tips on how to properly handle a car, answered student's questions and signed autographs.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(9-23-2004)

Testing at Kentucky this week: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing at Kentucky Speedway on Wed, Sept 22nd and Thursday, Sept. 23rd. Fans may view testing from the area outside Fan Center in Turn 3 at no charge. Driver scheduled to test:
#19-Jeremy Mayfield (9/23); #9-Kasey Kahne (9/23); #2-Rusty Wallace (9/23-24); #41-Casey Mears (9/24); and Reed Sorenson in a Ganassi R & D Dodge.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(9-21-2004)

Testing at Talladega, Elliott and Yeley: Bill Elliott and J.J. Yeley joined the ARCA RE/MAX Series teams of Bobby Gerhart, Boston Reid, Mike Harmon, Jim Walker, Ray Cook and Rich Woodland Monday in a high-paced day of testing at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott and Yeley rescheduled their test due to a rain-out last week, and the ARCA teams wedged in an extra day of testing prior to their series’ open test scheduled for Tuesday, which more than 23 ARCA RE/MAX teams are expected to attend. Elliott and Yeley pulled double-duty Monday, testing two cars each for their multi-car teams owned by Ray Evernham and Joe Gibbs, respectively. Yeley said he will make his second NEXTEL Cup start in the EA SPORTS 500 on Oct. 3, behind the wheel of the #11 Old Spice Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He’s run several Busch Series races this year, but his first NEXTEL Cup start was at California. He will also run the Busch race at Dover this Saturday. During Monday’s test, Elliott switched off between the #9 and #19 Dodges to be driven by teammates Kahne and Mayfield, respectively. Although the semi-retired driver has run select races this year, the Aaron’s 499 here in April was not one of them. There is no word whether he will compete here in the EA SPORTS 500 on Oct. 3, however he will have a particular interest in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Food World 300 on Saturday, since he is involved with one of the teams through the Dodge driver development program. “I have been trying to help out Dodge’s driver development deal, with Ray Cook driving. They’re just trying to get it going. Ray Evernham has loaned me a car, and Ray Cook, I was going to run him in a race or two. Since it is a superspeedway car, I throught I’d bring him over here and see how he does today and tomorrow,” Elliott said, adding he hopes to enter the car in the Food World 300 on Oct. 2.(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(9-21-2004)

Testing at the Monster UPDATE 3: On Tuesday, Sept. 14th Nextel Cup regulars #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #25-Brian Vickers, #17-Matt Kenseth, #42-Jamie McMurray and #45-Kyle Petty are scheduled to test at Dover International Speedway along with the Busch Series teams of Blake Feese, Aaron Fike and Dion Ciccarelli. McMurray and Kenseth will test again on Wednesday. Busch North Series points leader Andy Santerre and Busch Series driver [#29 RCR Busch] Kerry Earnhardt tested at Dover this week. The teams are preparing for Dover's upcoming race weekend, which will culminate with the MBNA America 400 Nextel Cup Series race Sept. 26.(Delaware News Journal)(9-9-2004)
UPDATE: been told it has been raining in Dover off-and-on today so far, supposedly the drivers got some laps in.(9-14-2004)
UPDATE 2: Jeff Gordon was among six Nextel Cup Series drivers testing at Dover International Speedway today, hoping to find that little something extra that might translate into a fraction of a second and increase his speed at the high-banked, one-mile oval. Gordon said preparation will be key among the 10 drivers remaining in the new Chase for the Nextel Cup, a 10-race “playoff” that will decide this year’s champion. Defending Cup champion Matt Kenseth, who was also testing at Dover, said Gordon’s team rates as the favorite in the title chase. “I think the last 10 is definitely a Jeff Gordon 10,” Kenseth said.”There’s a lot of tracks where he’s ran really good at. “Right now Mark Martin has a lot of momentum, Jeff Gordon has a lot of momentum, and when you get teams like that rolling, it’s hard to stop them.”(Delaware News Journal)(9-15-2004)
UPDATE 3: drivers at Dover testing: Nextel Cup drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #17-Matt Kenseth, #25-Brian Vickers, #42-Jamie McMurray, #45-Kyle Petty and Busch Series Johnny Benson (for driver Aaron Fike) and Dion Ciccarelli.(Delaware News Journal), heard it rained in Dover most of the day and may had not been any testing on Wednesday.(9-16-2004)

Tire Testing at Las Vegas UPDATE 2005 Dodge Image: #16-Greg Biffle, #41-Casey Mears and #12-Ryan Newman were at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, Sept 14th testing for Goodyear with the 2005 package on the cars. Mears even had a 2005 Dodge doing the test, while the other drivers were in 2004 bodies. Mears and Biffle will test on Wednesday as well, but Newman has to go to New York for a Chase media deal for NASCAR, so Brendan Gaughan will test the #12 car in Newman's place on Wednesday.
AND have an image of the 2005 Dodge that Casey Mears tested at Las Vegas, see my 2005 Cup Paint Schemes page for the image.(9-15-2004)

2005 Dodge spied at Las Vegas doing tire testing
see 2 more shots on my 2005 Cup Schemes page

Testing at Talladega, Hermie Sadler to run a Yates car: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series drivers Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex, Jr., Hermie Sadler and ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Blake Feese took turns zipping along the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway Monday after early morning rain finally gave way to clear skies. Johnson, who slipped to second in the points standings after a wreck at Richmond Saturday, said clinching a position to contend for the championship brought “a small amount of relief,” but knows the real pressure has only begun. In his five starts at Talladega, he’s qualified higher than ninth every time. However, this spring was the first time he was able to break into the top 5 here, finishing fourth. Johnson said he hasn’t had the best of luck at Talladega, but is more confident with a solid run here earlier this year. Sadler said he is excited to be returning to Talladega in October, particularly because he will be running in the EA SPORTS 500 in a Robert Yates machine. He decided to run the Talladega event primarily because of being able to reach an agreement to lease a car with Yates. “It’s a good opportunity for my team, not running all the races and not having some of the stuff a lot of the other teams have, to come here and drive one of their cars. We’re excited about that,” Sadler said. “They’ve got a great program. The timing worked out so we could do it, and it will give us a chance to come here and be a lot more competitive than we would be had we tried to do a superspeedway car of our own. We don’t have access to the wind tunnel and all those types of things and they have got a good reputation for a good superspeedway program. So hopefully it will be a good opportunity for us.”(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(9-14-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway's calendar shows three Nextel Cup drivers planning tests this week. Dale Jarrett is scheduled for Tuesday in Robert Yates Racing's #88 UPS Ford, while Robby Gordon is scheduled Wednesday in Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Chevrolet along with Bobby Hamilton Jr. in PPI Motorsports' #32 Tide Chevrolet. The track says spectators may watch from its Fan Center but caution that the schedule is subject to change.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-13-2004)

Testing at Phoenix in Oct: #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #88-Dale Jarrett and #42-Jamie McMurray are penciled in for a two-day PIR test scheduled Oct. 18-19. The test is open to the public, and admission is $20 per day. Fans already holding tickets to the Nov. 7 Checker Auto Parts 500 at PIR can attend free. Race-day tickets begin at $35 and can be purchased during the test session by entering Gate 7.(Arizona Republic)(9-11-2004)

Elliott testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway's calendar shows Bill Elliott scheduled to test Evernham Motorsports' #91 Dodge on Wednesday and Thursday. The track says fans are permitted to watch from its fan center, but it cautions that testing schedules are subject to change.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-7-2004)

Martin to test 2005 tires at Lowe's: #6-Mark Martin has the early part of his week scoped out doing work for the industry. That work will come in the form of a Goodyear tire test on Tuesday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The test won’t do Martin or the rest of the Ford teams a lot of good for this year’s car configuration as the tires that Martin will test are for the 2005 season, done in a car built to 2005 specification—the test Taurus will have a spoiler that’s an inch shorter than what he’ll be running tomorrow evening. There was no word on who besides Martin will be at the test, but given his ability to dial in a car and maximize tire use it’d be difficult to think of a better candidate for the mission.(Team Ford Racing), good chance this will get rained out and postponed.(9-5-2004)

DEI and Hendrick teams test at NHIS: Hendrick Motorsports teammates #24-Jeff Gordon and #48-Jimmie Johnson tested at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) on Wednesday, September 1 in preparation for the SYLVANIA 300 on Sunday, September 19. Both teams have clinched spots in the 2004 "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup". Martin Truex, Jr. tested on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1 in the #1 Dale Earnhardt Incorporated Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Truex, Jr. will be attempting to qualify for the upcoming SYLVANIA 300 at NHIS. For ticket and race information, please visit the Speedway online at www.nhis.com or call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.(NHIS PR)(9-4-2004)

NASCAR Teams Finding Milwaukee Mile Ideal For Testing: Joe Gibbs Racing elected to bring their two team NASCAR NEXTEL Cup effort to The Milwaukee Mile for a test session, as they are squarely in the hunt to win a third NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship. Drivers Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte tested Monday and Tuesday, and were joined by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teams, all in an effort to prepare for tracks similar to The ‘Mile they’ll compete on yet this season. Stewart, Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Scott Pruett (for Ganassi) spent time dialing-in their race car’s flat track set-ups at The ‘Mile. Their test in Milwaukee does not count against their team’s test allotment. Teams testing at The ‘Mile can apply suspension set-ups to both the ¾-mile fairgrounds oval in Richmond, VA, and at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS), a flat one-mile track patterned in a lot of ways after The Milwaukee Mile in banking, shape and design. Burton, a new teammate to Harvick with RCR, shared the #29 Chevy on Monday, while Pruett spent two full days of testing to provide set-up information for Ganassi’s three full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, with drivers Jamie McMurray (currently 14th in points), Casey Mears (16th) and Sterling Marlin (19th). Defending NASCAR champion and Cambridge, WI native Matt Kenseth, tested with his Roush Racing team at America’s Legendary Oval in July. A return trip for Kenseth (5th in points) or any of the NASCAR teams in contention for the Cup is a possibility.(The Milwaukee Mile PR)(9-3-2004)

NASCAR Announces 2005 Preseason Thunder Dates: The 2005 NASCAR Preseason Thunder test schedule at Daytona International Speedway will kick off with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, which, along with its usual newsworthiness, also will enjoy the distinction of being the first event housed at the Speedway’s newly renovated infield and garages. Leading off next season’s edition of NASCAR Preseason Thunder will be the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams that finished in odd-number positions in the final 2004 car owner point standings. They will begin testing Tuesday, Jan. 11 and conclude Thursday, Jan. 13. The rain date is Friday, Jan. 14. All NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams will test Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16. The rain date is Monday, Jan. 17.
All NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams that finished in even-number positions in the final 2004 car owner point standings will be on track Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 20. The rain date is Friday, Jan. 21.
All NASCAR Busch Series teams will be on track Saturday, Jan. 22 through Monday, Jan. 24. The rain date is Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Fans, too, have their chance to participate in NASCAR Preseason Thunder. The Speedway’s Oldfield Tower grandstands, located just outside Daytona USA, will open free of charge to fans to watch the NASCAR preseason action. Also, four Fan Fests – whose proceeds will benefit the Speedway and NASCAR-designated charities – are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 12, Saturday, Jan. 15, Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 22. Adding to the 2005 NASCAR Preseason Thunder anticipation will be the Speedway’s new multi-million dollar infield renovation, which includes new garages for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series, a new Victory Lane and a new Fan Zone.(NASCAR PR)(8-31-2004)

Testing at Richmond Tues and Wed: testing continues at Richmond International Raceway in preparation for the quadruple header weekend September 9-11 at Richmond International Raceway. Four Cup teams/drivers are scheduled to test on Tuesday, August 24th and Wednesday August 25th:
#19-Jeremy Mayfield
#12-Ryan Newman
#9-Kasey Kahne [probably will NOT test]
#33-Johnny Sauter [4th RCR team]
Also testing Busch cars will be #32-David Stremme, #87-Boston Reid, #8-Martin Truex, Jr. and #43-Aaron Fike.(RIR PR)(8-22-204)

9 Cars Dyno'd: NASCAR tested nine cars on the chassis dynamometer after the race, measuring horsepower to the rear wheels. The cars tested were the Fords of #16-Greg Biffle, #6-Mark Martin and #88-Dale Jarrett; the Dodges of #42-Jamie McMurray, #9-Kasey Kahne and #12-Ryan Newman, and the Chevrolets of #24-Jeff Gordon, #20-Tony Stewart and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-23-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: Four Cup teams / Five Drivers / One Busch team - with Busch driving, will test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, August 18th and Thursday, August 19th. On the 18th the following are scheduled to test: #30-Jeff Burton [does that look odd?], #29-Kevin Harvick and #91-Bill Elliott. On the 19th, the following drivers are scheduled: #91-Bill Elliott and #01-Joe Nemechek/Boris Said. #5-Kyle Busch will test his Busch car both days. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(8-18-2004)

Edwards tests the #99 at Kentucky: Carl Edwards is testing the #99 Roush Racing Ford at the Kentucky Speedway today in prepartation of his first Nextel Cup start at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The #99 seat opened last week when driver Jeff Burton ended a nine-year relationship with Roush Racing. Burton joined Richard Childress Racing where he will pilot the #30 AOL Chevrolet.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(8-17-2004)
UPDATE: Carl Edwards frequently displayed a smile at Kentucky Speedway Tuesday during his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series (NNCS) test. The 24-year-old manned the controls of the #99 Roush Racing Ford for the first time in preparation for his NNCS debut at Michigan International Speedway on August 22. Edwards takes over for Jeff Burton, who terminated a nine-year relationship with Roush Racing last week when he joined the #30 AOL Chevrolet NEXTEL Cup team fielded by Richard Childress Racing. Edwards will complete the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) schedule in his current #99 Superchips Ford and compete in at least 10 of the remaining 13 NEXTEL Cup Series races following Michigan. Edwards was not certain about his plans for conflicting NNCS races on September 26 at Dover International Speedway, October 3 at Talladega Superspeedway, and October 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
"Truck is the primary focus," Edwards said. "There are three races that conflict and we'll run the truck for those races. I don't know what we'll do with the Cup schedule at that point." Edwards, who was originally chosen to replace Mark Martin in the #6 Roush Ford upon retirement [after 2005?], first learned of the NNCS move last Tuesday. Edwards noticed a few subtleties between his truck and Cup car while turning his initial NNCS laps on the track where he captured his first NCTS win in 2003. "Until today, I didn't know what to think," Edwards said. "I hadn't really driven one of these (Cup car). After driving it a little bit, I think it's going to be awesome. It feels a lot like the truck. There are little differences in the aerodynamic stuff. The Cup car is a little faster because it’s more streamlined. You have to slow it down a little more because it has less down force than a truck. It's a little different, but it's all real close. That’s fortunate for me.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(8-18-2004)

Testing over at MIS: 17 drivers participated in NASCAR Busch Series and NEXTEL Cup Series testing Monday and Tuesday at Michigan International Speedway on Monday and Tuesday (August 9 and 10), the drivers testing included:
Nextel Cup: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, #33-Kerry Earnhardt, #13-Greg Sacks.
Busch Series: #66-Rusty Wallace [plans to make his first Busch start since 1997 at MIS], #8-Martin Truex Jr., #11-Paul Menard, #22-Jason Keller, #2-Ron Hornaday, #25-Bobby Hamilton Jr., #35-Shelby Howard, #27-Johnny Sauter, #47-Robert Pressley, #88-Joe Nemechek, #7-Todd Szegedy, #38-Shane Hmiel, #36-Travis Geisler, #67-C.W. Smith.
To purchase tickets for the Cabela's 250, log on to www.MISpeedway.com, or call the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010. The MIS ticket hotline is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm, seven days a week through the upcoming race weekend.(MIS PR)(8-11-2004)

Testing at Bristol: Testing for the upcoming August race weekend will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 10, 11, 16 and 17. The following list of drivers testing is tentative and subject to change:
Tuesday Aug. 10: #6-Mark Martin and in Busch, #59-Stacy Compton
Wednesday, Aug. 11: #31-Robby Gordon and in Busch #66-Jamie McMurray
Monday, Aug. 16 & 17: #12-Ryan Newman, JJ Yeley for Joe Gibbs Racing [Busch?] and in Busch #99-Michael Waltrip, #36-Travis Geisler, #75-Jay Sauter
Aug. 16 Only: #37-David Green, #16-John Hadden and Mike Potter
Aug. 17 Only: #43-Jeff Green, #45-Kyle Petty, #4-Jimmy Spencer, Eric McClure - Morgan McClure Racing.(BMS PR)(8-10-2004)

Testing at Richmond starts today: Busch Series title contender David Green visits Richmond Monday and Tuesday to kick off the busiest stretch of testing leading into a race weekend in the track's history. Green, who will attempt to qualify for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race with backing from Richmond-based Timberwolf, will test Monday, August 9 and Tuesday, August 10. Also part of the testing schedule will be six days of Crown Royal IROC practice, as test drivers Dave Marcis, Jim Sauter and Jay Sauter shake down the cars for the series' inaugural visit to a short track. With the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 being the final race that will set the field for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, the event has taken on even more significance than in past seasons. The drivers are preparing for a quadruple header weekend that will include a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Crown Royal IROC doubleheader on Thursday, September 9, the Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, September 10 and the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on Saturday, September 11. All races will be held at night "under the lights."
All sessions are free and open to the public and normal race weekend grandstand rules will apply. In all likelihood, more drivers will participate in the test sessions. Updates will be provided as they occur at www.rir.com.(8-9-2004)

Said fastest at Watkins Glen testing: After the first two-day NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series test session was rained out, nine teams returned to Watkins Glen International today for an abbreviated test this morning, from 7:30am - 1:00pm, in preparation for the SIRIUS at The Glen weekend, August 12-15th. Road course aces led the way in times today, with #36-Boris Said taking the top spot with a speed of 121.874 mph. #1-Ron Fellows closely followed him with a speed of 121.823mph, with the third and final road course ace #39-Scott Pruett and his Chip Ganassi Racing entry coming in third quick with a speed of 121.655mph. The quickest NEXTEL Cup Series regular was #88-Dale Jarrett at 120.838 mph, followed by #9-Kasey Kahne at 120.492. Rookies #25-Brian Vickers and #22-Scott Wimmer clocked in at 119.756mph. Times were unavailable for rookies #10-Scott Riggs and #77-Brendan Gaughan. Riggs cut a tire mid-morning going up the Esses, ending his day early after he made contact with the guardrail.(Watkins Glen International PR)(8-2-2004)

Testing at Kentucky Speedway: #48-Jimmie Johnson was scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday, July 28th. Richard Childress Racing driver #29-Kevin Harvick is scheduled to join Johnson.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(7-29-2004)

Watkins Glen testing washed out: no official reports, but have heard that testing at Watkins Glen on Monday [official] and Tuesday [unoffically] was rained out. Track officials have been able to schedule additional NASCAR testing time around existing track rental customers on Monday, August 2 from 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The session will be open to the public. No word on what drivers will attend thge practice on August 2nd.(7-28-2004)

Testing at Watkins Glen; Monday and Tuesday UPDATE rain Monday: With the SIRIUS at The Glen NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race weekend less than a month away, NASCAR's top teams are paying special attention to Watkins Glen International, especially those in the hunt for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. They'll get a chance to test their cars and get ready for the final road course race of the season during The Glen's annual test days, scheduled for July 26-27, which is again open to the public. Fans who have purchased tickets for the SIRIUS at The Glen, August 12-15, will be admitted free of charge both days. Fans should present their SIRIUS at The Glen tickets at the gate to gain free admission or pick-up a voucher at the ticket office if they have not received their event tickets. All other spectators can take in the action for only $5.00 each day at the gate. Gate 4 will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days. Tickets for the SIRIUS at The Glen, as well as the remaining 2004 events at Watkins Glen International, are now available by calling The Glen's ticket office toll free at 1-866-461-RACE (7223), or log online to the official Watkins Glen Web site.
Drivers scheduled to test are: #31-Robby Gordon, #6-Mark Martin, #18-Bobby Labonte , #21-Ricky Rudd, #88-Dale Jarrett, #9-Kasey Kahne, 16-Greg Biffle, #-42-Jamie McMurray, #39-Scott Pruett, #41-Casey Mears, #25-Brian Vickers, #77-Brendan Gaughan, #10-Scott Riggs, #59-Klaus Graf. Also, add #15-Michael Waltrip.(Watkins Glen PR)(7-26-2004)
UPDATE: A light rain washed out the first day of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing at Watkins Glen International, leaving 14 teams with hopes of sunshine for tomorrow's final day of testing [shame they didn't test the 'wet' tires]. With tomorrow's forecast calling for more rain, few teams opted to head home early and try again next week. Track officials have been able to schedule additional NASCAR testing time around existing track rental customers on Monday, August 2 from 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tomorrow's session, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the newly scheduled Monday session will be open to the public. Drivers that arrived at the historic road course Monday included defending race champion Robby Gordon, last year's second-place finisher Scott Pruett, road course aces Boris Said and Ron Fellows, veterans Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett and Michael Waltrip and rookies Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers, Brendan Gaughan, Scott Wimmer and Scott Riggs. German Klaus Graf, who competed earlier this year at Infineon Raceway, was also on hand. Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears are scheduled to test on Tuesday.(Watkins Glen PR), drivers/teams leaving included: #88-Dale Jarrett, #15-Michael Waltrip and #6-Mark Martin.(Elmira Star Gazette)(7-27-2004)

Jeff Green fastest overall at Indy testing: A total of 38 drivers combined to turn 6,284 laps around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway during six days of testing this month for the 11th annual Brickyard 400 on Aug. 8. That’s 15,710 miles of testing, nearly the same distance from Indianapolis to Auckland, New Zealand – and back. In fact, each driver averaged 165 laps – five laps more than the actual race distance – during testing July 6-7, July 12-13 and July 19-20 at Indianapolis. The top three drivers in testing this month - Jeff Green, Brian Vickers and Jason Leffler - have combined to complete just three full NASCAR NEXTEL Cup seasons. Green has raced two full seasons, Leffler one, while Vickers is a rookie after capturing the NASCAR Busch Series title in 2003. Green was fastest overall at 181.641 mph in the #43 Cheerios Dodge on July 7, while Vickers was second at 181.554 in the #25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet on July 13. Leffler rounded out the top three at 180.787 in the #60 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet on July 13.(IMS PR/Site), see all the speeds at brickyard400.com.(7-22-2004)

Tuesday Indy Testing UPDATE speeds: #40-Sterling Marlin set the pace in the morning session today on the last of six days of NASCAR testing in preparation for the Brickyard 400. Two drivers made contact with one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's concrete walls. Tony Stewart's car sustained only minor cosmetic damage when he brushed the wall, but Larry Foyt's #52 Dodge was battered beyond quick repair when he slammed hard into the turn-one wall. Marlin's lap of 180.305mph in a Ganassi Racing Dodge was fastest of the 14 drivers completing preparations for the Aug. 8 race. #00-Kenny Wallace, who led Monday's session at 179.104 mph in a Chevrolet owned by fellow driver Michael Waltrip, improved to 179.895, second behind Marlin. #0-Ward Burton, #91-Bill Elliott and #32-Ricky Craven completed the top five.(Indianapolis Star)(7-20-2004)
Speeds from Tuesday's practice:

Pos.	Car#	Driver	Speed (mph)	Session	Total Laps
1	40C	Sterling Marlin	180.305	Morning	96
2	0	Kenny Wallace	179.895	Morning	36
3	0X	Ward Burton	179.878	Morning	103
4	91	Bill Elliott	179.085	Morning	105
5	32T	Ricky Craven	178.84	Morning	54
6	20	Tony Stewart	178.078	Morning	115
7	30	Dave Blaney	177.478	Afternoon	118
8	5	Terry Labonte	177.098	Afternoon	126
9	88	Dale Jarrett	176.945	Morning	198
10	42	Jamie McMurray	176.572	Afternoon	120
11	34	Geoff Bodine	175.558	Morning	36
12	31A	Robby Gordon	175.172	Afternoon	93
13	52	Larry Foyt	174.07	Morning	2
	12	Ryan Newman	NR		94
				Total:	1,296

(IMS PR)(7-21-2004)

Indy Testing Continues - Monday Speeds: Nine teams are scheduled to participate in private testing on July 19-20 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The drivers tentatively scheduled to participate are: former Brickyard 400 winners #88-Dale Jarrett (1996, 1999) and #91-Bill Elliott (2002), #30-Dave Blaney, #0-Ward Burton, #31-Robby Gordon, #42-Jamie McMurray, #12-Ryan Newman, #20-Tony Stewart and #00-Kenny Wallace. Last week [7/13], #25-Brian Vickers was fastest at 181.554, the week before [7/6], #18-Bobby Labonte was fastest at 176.013mph. Testing is scheduled each day from 9:00am - 12:00noon and 1:00 -5:00pm, and the public is welcome to watch testing for free in the South Terrace grandstands, located inside the track between Turns 1 and 2. See my 2004 Test News and Results page for previous speeds from Indy [and other] testing], also...add #40-Sterling Marlin, #5-Terry Labonte, #32-Ricky Craven and #34-Geoffrey Bodine as those testing.(7-19-2004)
UPDATE - Monday Testing: #00-Kenny Wallace was fastest in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing July 19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with an unofficial lap of 179.104 mph in the #00 Aaron's Chevrolet, a car owned by fellow NEXTEL Cup competitor Michael Waltrip. Wallace's speed was nearly 2.5 mph faster than the 12 other drivers taking part in testing, and he attributed it to a solid program in place at Michael Waltrip Racing. "This is Michael Waltrip's new Cup team in collaboration with DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.), so we have good equipment," Wallace said. "Our concern is to make the race for Aaron's, the sponsor. We've got a real competitive car, and we just keep tuning on it. Right now, we're where we want to be." 2002 NASCAR champion Tony Stewart was second fastest in the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet at 176.783, #91-Bill Elliott was third in the Visteon Dodge at 176.638, #88-Dale Jarrett was fourth at 176.604 in the UPS Ford and Geoffrey Bodine was fifth at 176.314 in the #34 RaceElPaso Dodge. #12-Ryan Newman also tested in the Alltel Dodge for Penske Racing. The team did not authorize the release of speeds during the private test. The speeds and laps run:

Pos.	Car No.	Driver	Speed (mph)	Date	Session	Total Laps
1	0	Kenny Wallace	179.104	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	45
2	20	Tony Stewart	176.783	Mon., 7/19/04	Morning	142
3	91	Bill Elliott	176.638	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	100
4	88	Dale Jarrett	176.604	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	145
5	34	Geoffrey Bodine	176.314	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	42
6	30	Dave Blaney	175.776	Mon., 7/19/04	Morning	138
7	40C	Sterling Marlin	175.555	Mon., 7/19/04	Morning	78
8	5B	Terry Labonte	175.343	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	50
9	0Z	Ward Burton	175.331	Mon., 7/19/04	Morning	46
10	42	Jamie McMurray	175.059	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	102
11	32T	Ricky Craven	174.634	Mon., 7/19/04	Morning	82
12	52	Larry Foyt	171.792	Mon., 7/19/04	Afternoon	41
	12	Ryan Newman	NR	Mon., 7/19/04		85
					Total:	1,096

(IMS PR)7-20-2004)

Boyer tests the #31 at Kentucky: Richard Childress Racing [RCR] driver Clint Bowyer conducted a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series fact-finding mission in the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet during a test at Kentucky Speedway today. Bowyer, who is driving a part-time Busch Series schedule for Childress in the #21 Reese’s Chevrolet, used the day to gain valuable NNCS seat time and gather information that will benefit RCR Cup drivers Robby Gordon in the #31, Kevin Harvick in the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet and Dave Blaney in the #30 AOL Chevrolet during the second half of the season. “We’re just working on a whole lot of different things and gathering data,” Bowyer said. “We’re just putting all of those little bits and pieces together for the big package. The RCR cars aren’t running where they’re used to running and that’s why we’re here. There’s a lot of data you can gather from this racetrack that helps on a lot of different racetracks. Hopefully, they can use the data they’ve learned here to put forth a better effort in the Cup series.”(Kentucky Speedway PR)(7-15-2004)

Indy Testing from Tuesday: The total lap count for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway two-day test was 3,455 laps, and Mark Martin turned the most of any driver, with 316. Twenty-two drivers combined to turn 1,734 laps around the 2.5-mile oval Monday, while 21 drivers combined to turn 1,721 today. Jeff Burton only tested Monday. Today’s fastest driver was NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rookie Brian Vickers, who turned an unofficial lap of 49.5721 seconds, 181.554 mph. Running second to Vickers in the two-day test was Jason Leffler at 180.787. Martin was third of the 22 drivers at 179.690 in the No. 6 Viagra Ford, Elliott Sadler was fourth at 179.587 in the No. 38 M&M’s Ford and three-time Brickyard winner Jeff Gordon was fifth at 179.456. Vickers’ time was only seven-tenths of a second slower than the official event record of 48.822, 184.343 set by Kevin Harvick during qualifications for the 2003 race. Jimmy Spencer recorded the fastest lap of practice July 12 at 178.517, and Jeff Green was fastest in the first round of private testing, on July 6-7, with a lap of 181.641 on the second day.
Nine additional teams are scheduled to participate in private testing on July 19-20. The drivers tentatively scheduled to participate are: former Brickyard 400 winners #88-Dale Jarrett (1996, 1999) and #91-Bill Elliott (2002), #30-Dave Blaney, #0-Ward Burton, #31-Robby Gordon, #42-Jamie McMurray, #12-Ryan Newman, #20-Tony Stewart and #00-Kenny Wallace.
BRICKYARD 400 TESTING UNOFFICIAL SPEEDS (COMBINED)
Second day IMS testing with rank, car number, driver and speed in miles per hour, day, session, total laps.
1. 25A, Brian Vickers, 181.554, today, afternoon, 149;
2. 60X, Jason Leffler, 180.787, today, afternoon, 142;
3. 6A, Mark Martin, 179.690, today, afternoon, 316;
4. 38, Elliott Sadler, 179.587, today, morning, 218;
5. 24A, Jeff Gordon, 179.456, today, afternoon, 103;
6. 23, Tony Raines, 179.011, today, afternoon, 156;
7. 2A, Rusty Wallace, 178.833, today, afternoon, 143;
8. 4A, Jimmy Spencer, 178.517, Monday, afternoon, 141;
9. 19A, Jeremy Mayfield, 178.244, today, morning, 243;
10. 77A, Brendan Gaughan, 178.027, today, afternoon 134;
11. 22, Scott Wimmer, 177.528, today, afternoon, 204;
12. 01B, Joe Nemechek, 177.362, today, morning, 264;
13. 9B, Kasey Kahne, 176.489, today, morning, 219;
14. 41A, Casey Mears, 176.378, today, morning, 161;
15. 16A, Greg Biffle, 176.259, today, morning, 203;
16. 10A, Scott Riggs, 176.257, today, afternoon, 173;
17. 49, Ken Schrader, 175.727, today, afternoon, 91;
18. 21A, Ricky Rudd, 175.072, today, morning, 142;
19. 99, Jeff Burton, 174.582, Monday, morning, 87;
20. 14, Larry Foyt, 172.669, today, morning, 74;
21. 98, Todd Bodine, 172.601, Monday, morning, 42;
22. 72, Kirk Shelmerdine, 161.827, today, morning, 50.
(Team Ford Racing)(7-14-2004)

More on Indy Testing, and more next week UPDATE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway says Jeff Green recorded the fastest lap of the three drivers who took part in a two-day test this week. Green lapped the 2.5-mile oval at 181.641 mph in Petty Enterprises' #43 Dodge. The track says Kyle Petty suffered two engine failures in his #45 Dodge on Tuesday and wound up watching Wednesday's session. No other times were reported for the second day of the test. Bobby Labonte had been the fastest on Tuesday at 176.013mph in Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Chevrolet.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)
NEXT WEEK: Cup Series private testing will resume Monday, spanning into Tuesday, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with 23 drivers, including former Brickyard 400 winners Ricky Rudd and Jeff Gordon scheduled to test. Drivers and teams will prepare for the 11th annual Brickyard 400, scheduled for Aug. 8. Testing is 9:00am - 5:00pm/ct both days, with a lunch break. Although the tests are private, the public may view testing at no cost from the South Terrace grandstands, located inside the track between Turns 1 and 2. A final round of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series private testing is scheduled at IMS for July 19-20.
The tentative drivers scheduled:
#01-Joe Nemechek; #2-Rusty Wallace; #4-Jimmy Spencer; #6-Mark Martin; #9-Kasey Kahne; #10-Scott Riggs; #14-Larry Foyt; #16-Greg Biffle; #19-Jeremy Mayfield; #21-Ricky Rudd; #22-Scott Wimmer; #23-Tony Raines; #24-Jeff Gordon; #25-Brian Vickers; #38-Elliott Sadler; #40-Sterling Marlin; #42-Jamie McMurray; #49-Ken Schrader; #60-Jason Leffler; #77-Brendan Gaughan; #99-Jeff Burton; and #98-Todd Bodine.(Team Ford Racing)(7-9-2004)
Monday's Speeds: #4-Jimmy Spencer, the 2001 Brickyard 400 pole winner, was fastest in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing July 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spencer, driving the #4 Wide Open Energy Drink Chevrolet for Morgan-McClure Motorsports, turned a lap of 50.4155 seconds, 178.517mph on a sunny and humid day in Indianapolis with temperatures reaching 86 degrees. This was the first day of a two-day test in preparation for the 11th Brickyard 400 on Aug. 8. Testing resumes from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, and the public is welcome to watch testing for free in the South Terrace grandstands, located inside the track between Turns 1 and 2. Additional teams are scheduled to participate in private testing on July 19-20. Unofficial Speeds at Indy Testing 7-12:
Rank Car No. Driver Speed (mph)
1. 4A Jimmy Spencer 178.517
2. 6 Mark Martin 177.535
3. 19A Jeremy Mayfield 176.958
4. 38 Elliott Sadler 176.426
5. 01B Joe Nemechek 176.074
6. 2A Rusty Wallace 175.208
7. 25A Brian Vickers 175.050
8. 21A Ricky Rudd 175.030
9. 16 Greg Biffle 174.877
10. 41 Casey Mears 174.862
11. 10A Scott Riggs 174.737
12. 60 Jason Leffler 174.621
13. 9B Kasey Kahne 174.603
14. 99 Jeff Burton 174.582
15. 24A Jeff Gordon 174.566
16. 23 Tony Raines 174.090
17. 22 Scott Wimmer 173.833
18. 49 Ken Schrader 173.131
19. 77B Brendan Gaughan 173.029
20. 98 Todd Bodine 172.601
21. 14 Larry Foyt 167.101
22. 72 Kirk Shelmerdine 158.581
(Morgan-McClure PR)(7-13-2004)

Kenseth and Harvick to test at Milwaukee: #29-Kevin Harvick is scheduled to test the Milwaukee Mile on Monday, July 12th and Tuesday, July 13th; #17-Matt Kenseth is scheduled to test there on Tuesday, July 13th and Wednesday, July 14th. Fan can watch, free of charge, go to Gate 3.(Milwaukee Mile site), why? it is a flat one-mile oval, very similar to New Hampshire, the next race on July 25th.(7-12-2004)

Testing at Indy UPDATE: #18-Bobby Labonte, #45-Kyle Petty and #43-Jeff Green are scheduled to test Tuesday and Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.(Roanoke Times)(7-5-2004)
UPDATE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway says #18-Bobby Labonte was fastest of three Nextel Cup drivers testing Tuesday as he lapped the 2.5-mile oval at 176.013mph. #43-Jeff Green was second at 175.547, and #45-Kyle Petty was third at 174.123. The three were scheduled to wind up their two-day test Wed.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-8-2004)

Marlin tests at NHIS UPDATE and others: hearing #40-Sterling Marlin tested at New Hampshire International Speedway on Monday, July 5th.(7-6-2004)
UPDATE: Nextel Cup and Busch Series drivers converged on NHIS to prepare for the New England 200 and 300, scheduled for July 24 and 25, but were forced off the track and into garages during the morning and afternoon. Scheduled to test are, Cup - #40-Marlin, #12-Ryan Newman, #8/15-Martin Truex Jr. and #19-Jermey Mayfield. Busch - Truex Jr., #11-Paul Menard, #5-Kyle Busch, #31-Todd Bodine and #?-Matt Kobyluck up from the Grand National, Busch North Series and make his first Busch start in the New England 200. Mother Nature surely didn’t cooperate with the test session as a steady rain forced many drivers to sit and wait. Those who didn’t get a chance to test will try again today. The teams expect to test today from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and the speedway’s main grandstand will be open free to spectators.(Foster's Democrat)(7-6-2004)

Truex Jr. to test for DEI at NHIS: Busch Series points leader Martin Truex Jr. was to test two Dale Earnhardt Inc. cars this week at New Hampshire. Truex, who's 24 and a second-generation racer, has experience at the track, but this will be the first time for him to drive a Cup car on it. "I learned everything from my dad," says Truex, who raced for his father in New Jersey before joining the Chance 2 team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt. "That's made me a better racer. Hopefully, our testing can help Junior win the championship." Truex is expected to make his Cup debut at the fall New Hampshire race, but Slugger Labbe, crew chief for Michael Waltrip's #15 DEI car, says that if the tests are exceptional, he will gladly allow Truex to race in one of his team's cars in this month's race at NHIS.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(7-5-2004)

Rudd at Kentucky: #21-Ricky Rudd is scheduled to test the #21 Motorcraft/ Air Force Ford for the Wood Brothers at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, July 29th. Fans can watch from the front of the Turn 3 Fan Center. Schedule subject to change daily.(Kentucky Speedway site)(6-28-2004)

Kurt Busch testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway's Web site calendar shows that Kurt Busch is expected to test Roush Racing's #97 Sharpie/Irwin Tools Ford on Tuesday. Spectators are permitted to watch from the Fan Center, but the track cautions that the schedule is subject to change.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-21-2004)

Dale Jr. tests at Kentucky for Pocono: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., brought his No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet to Kentucky Speedway on Thursday to tap the karma that has led to two of his three wins this season. Earnhardt, Jr., has converted weekday Kentucky tests into Sunday wins in both March and May so far this season. He tested at Kentucky Speedway on March 11 and visited Victory Lane at Atlanta three days later. Earnhardt, Jr., repeated the accomplishment on May 15 at Richmond International Raceway, just three days after testing an engine combination for that race at Kentucky Speedway. Should he visit Victory Lane in Pocono, Pa., this week, he will become the second NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver to combine a Kentucky Speedway test with a Pocono win. Dale Jarrett first accomplished the feat in June 2002. Other drivers testing at Kentucky Speedway today included NASCAR Busch Series drivers Clint Bowyer, Billy “Catfish” Parker, Hermie Sadler and Kenny Hendrick.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(6-11-2004)

Rusty hits 228mph at Talladega: #2-Rusty Wallace gave a new meaning to the term "high speed communication" on Wednesday afternoon when he piloted his Miller Lite Dodge at speeds up to 228 mph at Talladega Superspeedway. "We hit 228 (mph) at the end of the straightaway and averaged 221 (mph) for that overall lap segment," an excited Wallace said late Wednesday afternoon as he prepared to head back home to North Carolina. "It was a helluva deal that I certainly will remember for the rest of my life. We'd all been wondering what it would feel like to run at Talladega again without the (restrictor-) plates and now I know. I'll bet we could be running speeds up to 235 (mph) without the plates if we spent time doing some tweaking. But I'll tell you this - there's no way we could be out there racing at those speeds," Wallace offered. "It was neat to be out there running that fast by myself, but it would be insane to think we could have a pack of cars out there doing that."
Wallace's high-speed opportunity came at the request of NASCAR officials on behalf of series sponsor NEXTEL and Racing Radios, the Hampton, Ga.,-based company that serves as the "Official 2-Way Radio provider" for all three of the major NASCAR racing series. "I've enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Racing Radios and I jumped at the opportunity to assist them with their 'Communication of the Future' program for NASCAR," Wallace said. "We were invited to bring our Miller Lite Dodge superspeedway car down for the test to assure quality audio at high rates of speed. The NASCAR, NEXTEL and Racing Radios officials were all extremely pleased at the end of the day, so I'd say that we did a good job for them." Wallace's speed far exceeded the official track qualifying record of 212.809mph (44.998 seconds), set by Bill Elliott on April 30, 1987.
"I guess it was about as official as you could get as we were operating under the watchful eyes of NASCAR," chuckled crew chief Larry Carter, who flew to Talladega with Wallace after testing at Sonoma, Calif., on Tuesday. "John Darby (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Director) and Buster Auton (long-time series official who has served as the pace car driver since 1997) were in charge, along with officials from Racing Radios and NEXTEL. So, there were plenty of witnesses on hand.(Tom Roberts PR)(6-10-2004)

Testing at Chicago: Monday, June 7 through Tuesday, June 8 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver #41-Casey Mears tested in preparation for the upcoming July 9-11 NASCAR weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Joining Mears on Tuesday was NASCAR Busch Series driver Mike Bliss who tested a NEXTEL Cup Series car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Also testing was NASCAR Busch Series drivers Todd Szegedy and David Stremme. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver, Joe Nemecheck, was also on hand assisting his Busch Series driver, Todd Szegedy.(Chicagoland Speedway) no speeds reported.(6-10-2004)

Rusty 'speedy' at Infineon: Rusty Wallace posted the fastest lap Tuesday during a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup test session at Infineon Raceway. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will visit the scenic Sonoma Valley later this month for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 (June 25-27). Wallace, a two-time winner at Infineon Raceway in 1990 and 1996, recorded the fastest lap of the five NASCAR drivers at the one-day test session on the newly repaved 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course. Wallace turned the track at 1 minute, 15.5 seconds. Road-course specialist Boris Said holds the official track record of 1:16.522, set in 2003.
#31-Robby Gordon, defending champion at Infineon Raceway, was second-fast at 1:16.27. #5-Terry Labonte at 1:17.14; #30-Jim Inglebright at 1:17.20; and #25-Brian Vickers at 1:17.67 rounded out the quintet. Wallace was in qualifying trim, while the four other drivers were in race trim. All times were supplied by the race teams. "We always look forward to coming out here," Wallace said. "I heard they repaved the whole track so we thought it would be a good idea to come out here and test. We always feel like we've got a chance to win here and the test went good. The track's got a lot of grip." Added Gordon: "The track is a little bit faster than it was last year. It should make for a pretty exciting race when all 43 cars are out there." Inglebright, who has won three of the last four events at Infineon Raceway for the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series, is a resident of nearby Vacaville and will replace rookie driver Johnny Sauter in the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing for the road-course race at Sonoma. "I'm looking forward to this race quite a bit," Inglebright said. "I've done well in the Southwest Series here and I'm hoping I can perform well for Richard Childress Racing."(Infineon Raceway PR)
The speeds in mph:
#2-Wallace 94.887 [old track record us 93.620, 2003 by Boris Said]
#31-Gordon 93.929
#5-Labonte 92.870
#30-Inglebright 92.798
#25-Vickers 92.236. (6-8-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: #16-Greg Biffle and #88-Dale Jarrett are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday, June 8th.(6-8-2004)

Mears to get soapy: Casey Mears will test at Chicagoland Speedway this week in preparation for the Tropicana 400 on July 11. Mears had a season-best starting position of fourth there last season but finished 34th. Mears generally refrains from being a major player in NASCAR's As the Wheel Turns soap opera, but after this weekend's race at Pocono, the 26-year-old driver of the #41 Target Dodge will fly to Los Angeles to play himself in an episode of Days of Our Lives. "We're always looking for more exposure for the sport and more exposure for me," Mears says. "I think it will be a great experience, but the funny thing is I'm really not a soap-opera guy." This won't be Mears' first network experience. Several years ago, after Mears expressed interest in meeting Jennifer Love Hewitt, he was an extra on the since-cancelled Party of Five.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(6-7-2004)

Ward to test at VIR: #0-Ward Burton and the NetZero Racing team are scheduled to test at Virginia International Raceway next Wednesday, June 9th in preparation for the upcoming road course event at Infineon (Sonoma Calif.) Raceway.(Ward Burton PR)(6-4-2004)

Testing at Infineon Raceway: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers #31-Robby Gordon, #5-Terry Labonte, #2-Rusty Wallace and rookies #30-Johnny Sauter and #25-Brian Vickers will be testing at Infineon Raceway on Tuesday, June 8, from 8:30am - 7:00pm/et.(Infineon Raceway PR)(6-4-2004)

Testing at Pocono: #38-Elliott Sadler, #88-Dale Jarrett, #30-Johnny Sauter teseds at Pocono on Thursday, June 3rd in preparation for the June 13th Pocono 500.(PR's)(6-4-2004)

#32 Testing the road: hearing that the #32 Tide PPI Motorsports Chevy team tested at Virginia International Raceway on Wednesday in preparation for the upcoming road course race at Infineon Speedway. Ricky Craven drivers the #32 Tide Chevy.(6-3-2004)

Testing at Daytona AND Elliott's plans: on Tuesday, May 25 and Wednesday, May 26 from 9:00am - 5:00pm/et Evernham Motorsports and driver #91-Bill Elliott and Petty Enterprises and driver #45-Kyle Petty are expected to participate in a two-day test session in preparation for the 46th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Saturday night, July 3. The test session is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS PR)(5-25-2004)
AND: For the first time since 1983, Bill Elliott isn't running a full NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule. Instead he is competing in select races in the #91 Dodge for owner Ray Evernham and helping Evernham with research and development such as participating in a test session along with Petty Enterprises' Kyle Petty on Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the 46th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday, July 3. Elliott, who only competed in the Budweiser Shootout during Speedweeks 2004, says sponsorship will determine the rest of his driving schedule, and that includes whether or not he would race in the Pepsi 400. "I want to run some more this year and maybe do some stuff next year," Elliott said. "I would like to try to come back here and run good again but whether that happens or not I don't know. Tickets for the Pepsi 400 Weekend are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)(5-27-2004)

Testing at Kentucky: #15-Michael Waltrip will test the DEI Napa Chevy and #44-Justin Labonte will test the Coast Gaurd Dodge on Wednesday, May 26th at Kentucky Speedway(Kentucky Speedway PR)(5-25-2004)

Busch tests at Dover: Kurt Busch spent Wednesday [May 19] testing his #97 Sharpie Ford at Dover in preparation for the MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes Nextel Cup race on June 6. "I really like the race track here," said Busch, who made his first career Cup start at Dover in the fall of 2000. "It's fun to race on. It's great to challenge yourself to come up with new setups, because you can drive almost anything on this race track. It's just that it bites you pretty quick if you have one little circumstance go wrong."(Delaware News Journal)(5-20-2004)

Testing at Kentucky this week UPDATE: Kentucky Speedway will host NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Truck Series testing May 19-20. NEXTEL Cup Series drivers #40-Sterling Marlin, #42-Jamie McMurray, #25-Brian Vickers, #77-Brendan Gaughan, #0-Ward Burton and NASCAR Truck Series driver Chris Horn are scheduled May 19. Fans can view testing from an area outside the speedway’s Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(5-18-2004)
UPDATE: testing on Wednesday, May 19th: #40-Chip Ganassi, #42-Jamie McMurray, #15-Michael Waltrip, #1-John Andretti, #0-Ward Burton, #25-Brian Vickers, #77-Brendan Gaughan. Busch team #8-Martin Truex, Jr. and Trucks #58-Chris Horn.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(5-18-2004)

Green testing at Nashville: Jeff Green, #43 Petty Enterprises NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Car, will test at the Nashville Superspeedway on Monday, May 17.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(5-16-2004)

Testing at Chicago? UPDATE: hearing that #24-Jeff Gordon and #5-Terry Labonte tested at Chicagoland Speedway sometime this week.(5-13-2004)
UPDATE: been told this is untrue and neither team tested at Chicago.(5-16-2004)

DEI Tests at Kentucky: #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and #15-Michael Waltrip turned test laps at Kentucky Speedway to fine tune their intermediate track programs for upcoming races that will play a pivotal role in determining eligibility for the season-ending “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.” Earnhardt, Jr., owns superspeedway wins at Daytona and Atlanta and a total of six top-five and seven top-10 finishes, but his team has misfired at lower-banked tracks similar to Kentucky Speedway. His #8 Budweiser Chevrolet finished 35th at Las Vegas and 19th at California Speedway. “We missed something on the one-and-a-half-mile low-banked tracks for a year-and-a- half now,” Earnhardt’s Crew Chief Tony Eury said. “Our fab shop came up here a couple of weeks ago and said the track was real smooth. We decided to come and try some things we didn’t get to try last time we were here to see if we can improve this part of our program. We have Michigan, Chicago and Kansas City coming up and those are places we struggled last year. We’re struggling again. We went to Vegas and California and struggled. We thought we had the problem fixed after Vegas and we got to California and found out we didn’t. Something in this new tire is throwing us a curve on these flat racetracks and we just have to keep working at it until we can figure it out.”
Waltrip, who enters the week 30th in the series standings and 190 points away from eligibility for the “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup,” predicted both DEI teams will benefit from today’s test. “We’ve had a good day,” he said. “We’ve been down some roads that didn’t go so well today with our set up and we’ve discovered some things that have been beneficial. I’ve enjoyed today and I think this test will pay off as we go forward.” Other drivers testing at Kentucky Speedway today included Kentucky Motorsports NASCAR Busch Series driver Stuart Kirby and Paul Menard, who drove with Evernham Motorsports. NEXTEL Cup driver #10-Scott Riggs will join Kirby and #50 Holigan Racing tomorrow and testing continues next Wednesday, April. 19, with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers #77-Brendan Gaughan, #32-Ricky Craven, #25-Brian Vickers, #42-Jamie McMurray and #40-Sterling Marlin.
Kentucky Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark F. Cassis, on hand for today’s test, said consistently strong test activity may help in his track’s pursuit of a future NASCAR NEXTEL Cup date. “There has been a lot of discussion lately concerning facilities, market place and commitment to gain a NEXTEL Cup Series event,” he said. “Simply put, Kentucky Speedway is the largest non-Cup facility in the United States, is located in one of the top-five television marketing areas in the country and hosts, without question, more NEXTEL Cup testing than any other facility. We have proven ourselves through performance with three straight 70,000 plus crowds for stand-alone NASCAR Busch Series events. I feel stronger than ever we should go to the next level, and deservedly so. If it doesn’t happen in 2005, our team will keep digging for 2006.”
Racing continues at Kentucky Speedway June 18-19 with the NASCAR Busch Series “Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo” featuring Waltrip, Robby Gordon, Kasey Kahne and other NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series stars. Tickets for all 2004 Kentucky Speedway events are on sale now and can be purchased in four easy ways: ·By phone at 888-652-RACE, ·On the World Wide Web at www.kentuckyspeedway.com, In person at either the speedway's Ft. Mitchell ticket office or at the Kentucky Speedway Fan Center off Ky. Hwy. 35 in Sparta, Ky.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(5-12-2004)

Green fastest in testing Tues at Lowe's: Jeff Green led the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series speed parade while NASCAR Busch Series drivers Paul Menard and Tim Sauter tested Lowe's Motor Speedway's new SAFER Barriers Tuesday as testing continued at the 1.5-mile superspeedway. It's been 38 years since a Petty Enterprises #43 has started from the pole for the Coca-Cola 600, but Green showed the team will once again be a contender during CTC Pole Night qualifying on Thursday, May 27. Shortly after sunset, the unofficial stopwatches caught Green with a lap of 29.602 seconds, 182.420 mph, to top the 16 NEXTEL Cup Series drivers making final preparations for the May 30 Coca-Cola 600.
Dave Blaney, who has two Busch Series poles at Lowe's Motor Speedway, was fast for the second straight day, posting an unofficial lap of 182.174 mph in Bill Davis' unsponsored #23 Dodge. Blaney's night nearly turned sour late in the session when he brushed the outside wall in turn four, but the damage was only cosmetic. Ward Burton, who opted to skip the Monday session, was third fastest at 181.616mph in the #0 NetZero Chevrolet with Jimmy Spencer fourth on the speed chart at 180.463 mph in the #4 Morgan-McClure Chevrolet. John Andretti rounded out the "fast five" at 180.120 mph in the #1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet. Interestingly, three of the five fastest NEXTEL Cup Series cars do not have full-time sponsors. 1996 Coca-Cola 600 winner Dale Jarrett slapped the SAFER Barriers in turn four just before the session ended at 10 p.m. and Jeff Fultz backed into the same spot just before 8 p.m. Both men were able to drive their cars back to the garage area.
Testing continues Wednesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway and fans can watch the action from the main grandstand free of charge. IPOWER DASH Series drivers will be on the track from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with ARCA RE/MAX Series teams testing for the May 27 Quaker Steak & Lube 100 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Tickets for all May events at Lowe's Motor Speedway are still available and can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.
Unofficial NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing speeds:
Jeff Green, 182.420mph
#23-Dave Blaney, 182.174
#0-Ward Burton, 181.616
#4-Jimmy Spencer, 180.463
#1-John Andretti, 180.120
#20-Tony Stewart, 179.982
#16-Greg Biffle, 179,146
#96-Johnny Benson, 178.897
#29-Kevin Harvick, 178.083
#84-Kyle Busch, 178.042
#88-Dale Jarrett, 177.264
#31-Robby Gordon, 176.442
#33-Kerry Earnhardt, 175.999
#44-Mark Green, 175.012
#30-Johnny Sauter, 174.814
#78-Jeff Fultz, 172.789.(LMS PR)(5-11-2004)

Benson tests the #96 PPI Motorsports Chevy at LMS
Thanks to David Griffin for the image

Testing at Kentucky: the Kentucky Speedway website lists #10-Scott Riggs and #15-Michael Waltrip testing there on Wednesday, May 12th. Fans can watch from the front of the Turn 3 Fan Center.(5-11-2004)

Open Testing at Lowe's UPDATE: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, ARCA RE/MAX Series and IPOWER DASH Series teams will be testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway Monday, May 10, through Wednesday, May 12, in preparation for the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on May 22, the May 30 Coca-Cola 600 and the other stock car events scheduled this month at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Monday, May 10th, Busch Series, 9:00am to 3:00pm, NEXTEL Cup Series, 4:00 10:00pm Tuesday, May 11th, Busch Series 9:00am to 3:00pm, NEXTEL Cup Series, 4:00 10:00pm Wednesday, May 12th, IPOWER DASH Series, 9:00am to 4:00pm, ARCA 5:00 to 10:00pm NEXTEL CUP drivers scheduled to test: #96-Johnny Benson, #16-Greg Biffle, #23-Dave Blaney, #84-Kyle Busch, #32-Ricky Craven, #33-Kerry Earnhardt, #31-Robby Gordon, #43-Jeff Green, #29-Kevin Harvick, #88-Dale Jarrett, #6-Mark Martin, #41-Casey Mears, #30-Johnny Sauter, #4-Jimmy Spencer and #20-Tony Stewart.(LMS PR)(5-6-2004)
UPDATE: #6-Mark Martin showed the "young guns" he will be a contender during the May 22 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and the May 30 Coca-Cola 600 as open testing began Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Martin, the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 winner, ran numerous laps at just over 180 mph. According to the unofficial stopwatches, the 45-year-old Martin led the search for speed with a best lap of 181.733 mph around the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Dave Blaney, driving Bill Davis' unsponsored #23 Dodge, was second fastest, just a tick of the watch behind Martin at 181.147 mph, while Casey Mears was third on the speed chart at 179.087 in the #41 Target Dodge. With 11 teams on hand, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing session started at 4pm and ended under the lights at 10pm. The caution flag was never unfurled as both the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series testing sessions were run without incident. Testing continues Tuesday and Wednesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway and fans can watch the action from the main grandstand free of charge.
Tickets for all May events at Lowe's Motor Speedway are still available and can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.
Unofficial NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing speeds:
#6-Mark Martin, 181.733mph
#23-Dave Blaney, 181.147
#41-Casey Mears, 179.087
#88-Dale Jarrett, 177.445
#1-John Andretti, 177.282
#43-Jeff Green, 177.270
#96-Johnny Benson, 177.264
#84-Kyle Busch, 177.218
#30-Johnny Sauter, 176.678
#44-Mark Green, 175.063
#33-Kerry Earnhardt, 174.848.(LMS PR)(5-11-2004)

Richmond Testing Continues: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers are threatening to break the poll record of 21.194 seconds (approximately 127 mph) at Richmond International Raceway. After two full days of testing the new asphalt among more than 20 drivers, all agreed that the record would fall during Wawa pole qualifying for the Chevy American Revolution 400 Friday, May 14. "It's going to be history, I can tell you that right now," said Emporia, Virginia native Elliott Sadler. "I'm running faster than that in race trim."
"The poll record will fall for sure-for sure," echoed Jeff Gordon. "I ran that time on 30-lap tires."
"The thing I have noticed about the racetrack is it's super smooth, but the characteristic of the track is exactly the same," added six-time Richmond winner Rusty Wallace. "I was supposed to test Martinsville, but I said 'you know what that track really hasn't changed, and boy it's really hard to test there because it's so rough.' I'd rather pass that one up and go to Richmond where it's a completely new pavement."
"No doubt there will be a track record set when we come back to qualify Busch and Cup," added Kurt Busch. "It's very fast. It's like a small Texas." NASCAR Busch Series title contender Bobby Hamilton, Jr. was among those testing who said the pavement is new, but the same great racing will remain the same. NASCAR veteran Mark Martin is excited about the changes made to the short track. "We're running a lot faster because of the new asphalt," added Martin. "It's exactly what you'd expect to see. The cars are a lot faster than they were in 1989. (The track was last repaved in late 1988.) Now we have fresh pavement and we're going to be able to go a lot faster than we did back then." Sadler gave the track rave reviews as well. "They did a great job. The track is very, very smooth. It has a lot of grip in it. It's going to be fast, which will make it fun. I hope that the Busch cars will slicken it up a little bit on Friday night so we'll be able to move around a lot on it Saturday night. I can't believe how smooth it is, so whoever did it did a great job so I have to commend everybody here at Richmond for that."
Gordon added, "The grip is there. The surface is fantastic. This track just offers that and I hope we see that our first time here with the new pavement."
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers Tony Stewart, Ricky Craven, Kurt Busch, Johnny Benson, Elliott Sadler, Ward Burton, Jimmy Spencer, Rusty Wallace, Brendan Gaughan and Jamie McMurray tested today. Busch Series drivers Kasey Kahne, Justin Labonte, Mike Bliss, J.J. Yeley, Jay Sauter, Eric McClure, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Dave Blaney also tested at Richmond Wednesday. Testing continues Thursday, May 6 when Ricky Rudd, Johnny Sauter and Ward Burton are scheduled to test the new blacktop. Grandstand gates open at 9:00 a.m. for this free event, which is open to the public.
The NEXTEL Cup drivers will have their first official run Friday, May 14 during Wawa Pole Qualifying for Saturday's sold-out Chevy American Revolution 400. Tickets are still available for Friday's NASCAR Busch Series FUNAI 250. Reserved seats are just $40, while general admission seats are $35. Thursday's NBC12 Pole Qualifying Day for the FUNAI 250 are just $5 for general admission seats. Children 12 and under are admitted free to general admission sections with a paying adult on both days. For ticket information, please call 1-866-455-RACE, or visit www.rir.com.(RIR PR)(5-6-2004)

North Carolina Test Facility Planned: The Charlotte Regional Partnership is spearheading plans to seek state money to help build a $50 million motorsports test-track complex near Charlotte, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. The group hopes the facility will cement the area's status as the home of most of NASCAR's top-tier teams in the wake of new and expanded programs in Virginia and South Carolina. Reporter Ken Elkins writes that organizers are looking for up to 150 acres within 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway for a facility that would include super speedway, mid-length oval and road-course tracks. No grandstands would be built. Teams could save money, the story says, by not having to travel to facilities such as Kentucky Speedway to conduct non-sanctioned tests.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-30-2004)

AND An effort is gearing up to build a state-funded motorsports test-track complex near Charlotte, with organizers saying the $50 million facility would help attract more Nextel Cup teams to the area. The Charlotte Regional Partnership is spearheading the idea, seeking up to 150 acres within 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway for a facility that would include super speedway, mid-length oval and road-course tracks. "It could be configured to represent 75% of the types of tracks on the NASCAR circuit," says Michael Almond, chief executive of the regional partnership, a 16-county, public-private economic development agency. The complex, tentatively dubbed the N.C. Motorsports Testing and Research Complex, would include garages, administrative space and about $5 million in testing equipment but no grandstands. No site has been selected. The proposal faces two key challenges: Organizers are seeking state funds to pay for construction, and they want the land to be donated. "We are assuming that the land would be contributed as a way of having skin in the game," Almond says. Such property may already be available. Sources familiar with the test-track proposal say officials in Cabarrus, Iredell and Stanly counties have expressed interest in the project, suggesting sites that would be available at little or no cost. Also, Humpy Wheeler, president of Speedway Motorsports Inc., has offered 100 acres at the Lowe's Motor Speedway for the complex. Presumably, that Cabarrus site would have to be supplemented by 50 acres. Some have suggested using North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham for the testing complex, especially if that track loses its last NASCAR-sanctioned race.(Charlotte Business Journal)(5-5-2004)

Infineon Testing Day 2: #42-Jamie McMurray posted the fastest lap Wedn