[Racer Duck]

• SPEEDs - Day 4 AM: Sprint Cup testing at Daytona International Speedway is back for the second session, with 28 drivers and 50 cars taking single car runs, the fastest was #44B-Jarrett with a speed of 184.987mph, which was faster then last weeks fastest single-car run of #48-Johnson [184.782], followed by #88B-Earnhardt Jr. in his new Hendrick Motorsports ride, #40-Franchitti, #20A-Stewart and #11B-Hamlin. The fastest Ford was #38A-Gilliland. Slowest car was #09A-Marlin at 178.880.(1-14-2008)
• SPEEDs - Day 4 PM: 53 cars took to the track testing at Daytona International Speedway with #22B-Blaney being the quickest at 185.445mph in sigle car runs, followed by #88B-Earnhardt Jr., #83A-Vickers, #44A-Jarrett and #55-Waltrip. Toyotas had 8 of the fastest times in the top-10. #40-Franchitti was the fastest Dodge Charger at 10th and #38A-Gilliland was the fastes Ford Fusion at 14th. Bringing up the rear were #57A-Benning at 176.856 then #08A-Long at 177.291.(NASCAR Media)(1-14-2008)

[Racer Duck]

hmmm, is it possible there could be a Toyota on the pole for the Daytona 500?

looks like MWR won't be last this year...

[jks812]

With the way they've been some of the top ones at testing, I wouldn't be surprised.

[3fanforever]

Jimmie Johnson's Fastest Single Car Test Speed = 184.782
Jeff Gordon's Fastest Single Car Test Speed = 183.809
Junior's Fastest Single Car Test Speed from Day 1 = 185.426

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

hmmm, is it possible there could be a Toyota on the pole for the Daytona 500?

looks like MWR won't be last this year...

As you already know, testing proves very little, Ducky. Hell, technical inspection in every area other than safety is optional. They're working on a few things but over the years testing has become a case of, "Can we psych the other teams out with some blazing speeds?" (which may well be being run by a car which would fail inspection)

I'm not surprised at Toyota's speeds. They didn't fare well last year and they want to come off the blocks making some sort of statement.

What disturbs me is the lack of speed from the cars who desperately need sponsorship. (Yates, BAM, Haas CNC) The fact that they haven't tricked up their cars and are blowing the doors off of some others tells me that they are waaaaay behind the power curve.

Mikey's teams and Red Bull probably won't be bringing up the rear this year but I think I'll wait until after Las Vegas before I change my hunches to conclusions.

[Racer Duck]

yeah, I know testing speeds aren't anything to bank on. But it's good to see names at the top of the speed board that aren't usually there.

I guess if the press wasn't making so much of the mid-Jan test at Daytona, nobody would be watching...

you're right. some of the lesser teams, especially those needing sponsors, need to step it up over then next couple days (I'm pretty sure the 17th is the last day of testing.)

one guy I'm watching is this guy Benning in the 57 car. he ran ARCA last year, bought a COT over the winter and is trying to make the 500. as I understand it, he has plans to run most of the Cup schedule...

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

yeah, I know testing speeds aren't anything to bank on. But it's good to see names at the top of the speed board that aren't usually there.

I guess if the press wasn't making so much of the mid-Jan test at Daytona, nobody would be watching...

you're right. some of the lesser teams, especially those needing sponsors, need to step it up over then next couple days (I'm pretty sure the 17th is the last day of testing.)

one guy I'm watching is this guy Benning in the 57 car. he ran ARCA last year, bought a COT over the winter and is trying to make the 500. as I understand it, he has plans to run most of the Cup schedule...

Lot's of folks don't realize how unreliable the testing sessions' speeds and times are.

This Benning kid you're watching isn't Norm Benning's kid by some chance is it? Norm's been around forever and was/is connected in some way with the Andy Hillenburg who bought Rockingham.

I don't follow testing. Did our boy, James Harvey Hylton ever talk anyone into giving him a ride? Will WalMart be missing a greeter during Speedweeks this year, again?

Speaking of drivers to watch, keep your eyes on this Michael McDowell kid Mikey picked up to take the #00 when Reutimann moves to the #44. He looked really good last year in ARCA and gave Kimmel all he could handle. He's got a good history in the Madza Formula Series and in the Rolex cars. If I had to bet on the next big star, I'd be putting my money on McDowell. I think that in the next three years we'll be hearing his name a lot.

[3fanforever]

Just wanted to let you guys know I know the single car testing proves very little, but don't you think the draft testing is important this year for drivers who've changed teams and are driving new cars, such as Junior, or drivers who've changed from Chevy to Toyota, like the Gibbs drivers? Or does it make any difference since all the new funny cars this year, no matter whether they have a Chevy name or a Toyota name, are basically the same?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

Just wanted to let you guys know I know the single car testing proves very little, but don't you think the draft testing is important this year for drivers who've changed teams and are driving new cars, such as Junior, or drivers who've changed from Chevy to Toyota, like the Gibbs drivers? Or does it make any difference since all the new funny cars this year, no matter whether they have a Chevy name or a Toyota name, are basically the same?

Since they have little or no experience with the new car, drafting practice will be a lot of help. I think the biggest thing the teams will pick up this season is steering geometry and how to get the new car to rotate through the turns without scrubbing off any speed. Once they get that down and after they figure out how the thing will react in traffic, I think they're out there mostly just logging laps and punching holes in the air.

But all that's from a layman's point of view. I'm sure Duck or Thunderfoot, with their on-track experience, would be a much better reference.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Since they have little or no experience with the new car, drafting practice will be a lot of help. I think the biggest thing the teams will pick up this season is steering geometry and how to get the new car to rotate through the turns without scrubbing off any speed. Once they get that down and after they figure out how the thing will react in traffic, I think they're out there mostly just logging laps and punching holes in the air.

But all that's from a layman's point of view. I'm sure Duck or Thunderfoot, with their on-track experience, would be a much better reference.

with mostly identical chassis and identical bodies, the "big gains" will be in finding the little tweaks that make big differences. and that requires "logging laps and punching holes in the air." HMS had the advantage last year from logging more laps than anybody else .. they don't have that advantage this year. The events at Speedweeks will tell who's done their homework over the winter and who hasn't. With the car's inherent stableness, finding those "tweaks" to develop both speed and consistency are key for a successful 2008.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

hmmm, is it possible there could be a Toyota on the pole for the Daytona 500?

looks like MWR won't be last this year...

I will take it a step further, a Toyota will win the 500, Kyle Busch and the #18 team.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by bears9

I will take it a step further, a Toyota will win the 500, Kyle Busch and the #18 team.

Somebody smack the youngin.... and smack'em again if the prediction comes true

[oncea3fan]

Originally Posted by bears9

I will take it a step further, a Toyota will win the 500, Kyle Busch and the #18 team.

here here!!!!!, but all these damned M&M's aren't good for my diabates