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Time for Nationwide Series testing [/align][align=center][/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Written by Administrator - posted by MCF Space : ) [/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Jan 17, 2008 at 05:22 PM [/align][align=center]
[:-][/align][align=center]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2008) – A new sponsor is excited to be involved and looks forward to infusing fresh ideas and strategies into the series. The reigning champion returns to defend his t i t le. Veterans are as focused as ever with the influx of new talent.

Welcome to the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, which begins Friday, Jan. 18 at Daytona International Speedway with the first of two, three-day NASCAR Preseason Thunder test sessions for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 presented by Chevrolet.

[b]Over 40 drivers – including four series champions – representing nearly 30 teams are scheduled to participate. The test will split into two sessions; teams ranked in odd-numbered positions in NASCAR Nationwide Series owner points after July 17, 2007 will test from Jan. 18-20, while teams ranked in even-numbered positions after July 17 last year will test Jan. 20-22. There is no rain date.

The first session is highlighted by series champions – defending champion Carl Edwards[8D] (No. 60 Scotts Ford), two-time champion Kevin Harvick (No. 33 RoadLoans.com/Camping World Chevrolet) and 1994 champion David Green (No. 5 National Guard/Delphi/GoDaddy.com/Lowe’s Chevrolet).

Edwards is one of four drivers scheduled for full-time double duty in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. For the first time in his nine-year series career, Harvick will not compete for Richard Childress Racing. Instead, he’ll drive his own Kevin Harvick Inc. car and also help develop young teammate Cale Gale (No. 77 KHI Chevrolet), who also will test during the first session.

Green makes the trek to Daytona to offer information on the JR Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet that will be shared by a trio of all-stars out of the Hendrick Motorsports camp – two-time series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, the series’ all-time wins and poles leader, and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. Newcomer Landon Cassill, also will get seat time in the No. 5 during the season and will be on hand at Daytona to learn from Green.

Clint Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T/Camping World Chevrolet) will pull double-duty in 2008 and returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in a full-time capacity since 2005 when he finished as runner-up to champion Martin Truex Jr.

Series veterans Mike Wallace (No. 7 GEICO Toyota) and Johnny Sauter (No. 1 Miccosukee Resort Chevrolet) – who returns to the series after a year in NASCAR Sprint Cup – are scheduled for the first session. Gale’s young peers include Brad Keselowski (No. 88 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet), and Brad Coleman (No. 27 Kleenex Ford), along with Bryan Clauson (No. 41 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Dodge). Dario Franchitti (No. 40 Fastenal Dodge), the 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner and Clauson’s teammate with CGRFS, also is scheduled to participate in the first session.

The first day of Session II – Jan. 20 – overlaps with the final day of Session I. Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) will shake down the defending owner champion car. He and Jeff Burton captured that crown last year for RCR and again are paired in 2008 to defend the title.

Other drivers featured in Session II include 2003 series champion Brian Vickers (No. 10 ABF Freight Toyota) and David Reutimann (No. 99

 

Track Talk for the weekend of January 18-20 THE BIG STORY
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series
Racer of the Week
Yes, He REALLY Said That
This Weekend

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THE BIG STORY


The second three-day round of Daytona 500 testing ended with Dale Earnhardt Jr. fastest with a 185.820 mph lap in his No. 88 Hendrick Chevrolet. Four Toyotas completed the top five with Dave Blaney next at 185.445 mph. Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers and Dale Jarrett followed.
Also: Valvoline will be the primary sponsor of the Jack Beckman-driven, Don Schumacher Racing-owned, Dodge Charger Funny Car. The car holds the national speed record of 333.66 mph… Tony Cotman resigned as Champ Car's executive VP and race director. Johnny Unser was named race boss for the Atlantic series… Raphael Matos turned down the $2 million Atlantic champion's bonus for a Champ Car ride for an Indy Pro Series opportunity with Andretti Green Racing.
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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series


Sterling Marlin plans to enter 10 races, including both at Daytona, in the No. 09 Chevrolet owned by Phoenix Racing. Jay Frye was named general manager of the Red Bull team. Darlington is being repaved.
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NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series


NHRA has changed its qualifying format. The top 12 elapsed times in each pro category will be provisionally recorded before the last day of qualifying. Those spots are not locked-in. Teams not in the top 12 will have a chance to make the field of 16 on the last day. Teams can improve their positions on the last day and can bump in or be bumped out. Fewer than 10 cars participated in the test at Las Vegas last weekend.
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Racer of the Week


Graham Light. NHRA's senior VP, racing operations, made the second major rules change in two weeks by revising qualifying procedures. [:-]


Yes, He REALLY Said That


Tony Stewart, on testing a Toyota rather than a Chevrolet at Daytona. "You're on a 2 ½-mile track and you're holding it wide open. You're not going to really feel it until you get around other cars. Any driver who says he can is a heck of a lot better driver than me because I can't tell the difference."
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This Weekend


The Rolex 24 sports cars open at Daytona. NHRA has the National Time Trials near Phoenix.