Teams, drivers get ready for Preseason Thunder

[DeeDee]

Teams, drivers get ready for Preseason Thunder
Three-day test at Daytona the first of the new year; fans can attend for free
By Official Release
January 14, 2011 4:16 PM, EST


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Next week's three-day Sprint Cup Series test at Daytona International Speedway brings the first official engine firings of 2011.

Don't think for a second that it represents the new year's first official work.

"I don't ever remember being this busy in my life," said Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Jeff Gordon. "We are so full-speed ahead already."

Wide-open shops mean wide-open anticipation. Teams participating in the 2011 edition of NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona will use the time to prepare for both the 53rd Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 and the track's new asphalt surface.

The test -- scheduled for Jan. 20-22 -- runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET daily, weather permitting, with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break each day. Attending media will have interview opportunities in the infield media center.

"It's a very demanding time of the year," Gustafson said, "but it's very gratifying because you see projects get started and you see them come to fruition."

A successful Goodyear tire test on Dec. 15-16 set the stage for next week's session.

Last year's repave -- only the second at 2.5-mile Daytona and the first since 1978 -- began after the Cup event on July 3 and ended in early December. During the tire test (open to all series teams), those attending validated Goodyear's compound selection for the Daytona 500, the series' traditional season-opener, plus drivers and crew chiefs provided the sport's first on-track feedback about the new pavement to track and NASCAR officials.

"The upcoming test at Daytona should go a long way in helping the teams get their setups right for next month's Speedweeks," NASCAR's vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. "We received a lot of positive feedback from the competitors about the new racing surface at Daytona following the Goodyear tire test last month. We believe the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 has all the makings of being the most exciting one we've ever seen."

Expect some re-affirmation next week, but NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona means three days to shake down new equipment, personnel and strategies. And long, detailed checklists.

"It's a huge race for everyone," Gustafson said of the Daytona 500. "A race that everybody wants to win; the biggest race of the year. Everybody had some reservations, so going down there with the tire test and coming back, it just confirms that Daytona is Daytona -- it's the track we all love. That's wonderful to know. So going back there now, it's trying to exploit what little nuances of speed we can."

Fans can join the fun by attending the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona -- the companion event to on-track activity. Along with watching NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing, fans can enjoy three Fan Fest sessions in Daytona's Sprint FANZONE -- from 6-8 p.m. ET on Jan. 20 and from 5-7 p.m. ET and 7-9 p.m. Jan. 21.

Among the offerings -- driver question-and-answer and autograph sessions. Fans also can watch each day's testing at no cost, beginning at 9 a.m. ET Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com for more information on NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona.

It won't be long now gang! :D

[DeeDee]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k18/RuddRoushRule/tv_times.gif

# Thursday, January 20
# 5:00 pm Daytona NSCS Winter Testing (SDD 2 hours) SPEED

# Friday, January 21
# 1:00 pm Daytona NSCS Winter Testing SPEED

# Saturday, January 22
# 2:00 am Race in 60 - Pocono SPEED
# 3:00 am Race in 60 - Watkins Glen SPEED
# 4:00 am Race in 60 - Michigan SPEED
# 1:00 pm Daytona NSCS Winter Testing SPEED

Check local listings. Times listed are ALL ET [Eastern Time].
~jayski

[mattemmy99]

omg..omg...getting excited....Superbowl...then DAYTONA...WOOOOT~

[TeamBlueOval]

I can't wait! It has been a super quiet off season news-wise ... practically nothing going on since RPM got their act together, that was about the last major piece of news to come out and that was WEEKS ago!

It's time for some racing ... less than 4 weeks away from the Shootout! We have the Rolex 24 in about 2 weeks, Super Bowl in 3, Bud Shootout in 4, and the 500 in 5 weeks! Busy time of year for sports, especially racing! :D

:cool:

[JiggaStyles09]

It'll be nice just to see cars on track, I'm excited to see how the new surface changes the race. Honestly I preferred the old surface, just b/c I liked that it separated the cars 10-15 laps in & you had to get the handling right to stay up front. Now it's probably gunna be like dega.

[DeeDee]

It's time for some racing ... less than 4 weeks away from the Shootout! We have the Rolex 24 in about 2 weeks, Super Bowl in 3, Bud Shootout in 4, and the 500 in 5 weeks! Busy time of year for sports, especially racing! :D

:cool:

Don't forget the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown also.:D

[DeeDee]

Next up - Daytona testing Jan. 20-22 & NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest: Daytona 500 champions Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are among the drivers that will appear at NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at historic Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take to the new asphalt at Daytona International Speedway in a three-day test session, known as NASCAR Preseason Thunder, Thursday, Jan. 20 through Saturday, Jan. 22.
Tickets for NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest are $20 and available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com. 2011 Daytona 500 ticketholders and children 12 and under will receive free admission. Advanced reservations are available (limited to 250 people) for special autograph sessions to be held with participating 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and Daytona 500 champions. Additional driver autograph sessions will be held on both days with wristbands available the day of the event.
To request access to the special autograph sessions, race fans can call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit the Daytona International Speedway ticket office beginning on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 9 a.m.
In addition to viewing the on-track activity from the Sprint FANZONE, fans can watch each day's testing at no cost from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands near Turn 4.
Drivers currently scheduled to make appearances on Thursday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, David Ragan, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith.
Scheduled to appear on Friday, Jan. 21, during the 5-7 p.m. session are Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Kevin Conway, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman. In the 7-9 p.m. session, drivers scheduled to appear are AJ Allmendinger, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcos Ambrose and Matt Kenseth.
Lastly, race fans will be able to camp in the infield of Daytona International Speedway for free with their admission ticket during the three-day test inside Turns 3 and 4. Sites will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates to the infield will open Thursday, Jan. 20 at 8:00 a.m.
Among the activities planned for both days include:
" Interactive driver question and answer sessions on the main stage
" Show cars, displays, music
" Photo opportunity with the Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy
" Blood drive outside the Turn 4 tunnel
Tickets for both the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests and the Roar Before The Rolex 24 are available online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(1-4/19-2010)~jayski

[TeamBlueOval]

Don't forget the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown also.:D

I did forget. When is that one? This weekend? Next weekend?

[DeeDee]

Next weekend ......

# Friday, January 28

# 2:00 am Race Hub SPEED
# 12:00 pm NSCS Texas SPEED
# 9:00 pm Dave Despain on Assignment - Tallladega SPEED
# 11:00 pm NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Qualifying SPEED

# Saturday, January 29

# 2:00 am Dave Despain on Assignment - Tallladega SPEED
# 4:00 am Race in 60 - Kansas SPEED
# 10:00 pm NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown SPEED

All times are Eastern

[DeeDee]

Get ready .... it's time for Preseason Thunder!!!! :D

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team Roster For Daytona International Speedway Test:
Car#, Driver, Team
#00-David Reutimann, MWR
#1-Jamie McMurray, EGR
#2-Brad Keselowski, Penske
#4-Kasey Kahne, Red Bull
#5-Mark Martin, Hendrick
#6-David Ragan, Roush Fenway
#9-Marcos Ambrose, RPM
#11-Denny Hamlin, JGR
#13-Casey Mears, Germain
#14-Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas
#16-Greg Biffle, Roush Fenway
#17-Matt Kenseth, Roush Fenway
#18-Kyle Busch, JGR
#20-Joey Logano, JGR
#21-Trevor Bayne, Wood Brothers
#22-Kurt Busch, Penske
#24-Jeff Gordon, Hendrick
#27-Paul Menard, RCR
#29-Kevin Harvick, RCR
#31-Jeff Burton, RCR
#33-Clint Bowyer, RCR
#36-Dave Blaney, Tommy Baldwin Racing
#39-Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya, EGR
#43-AJ Allmendinger, RPM
#46-J.J. Yeley, Whitney Racing
#48-Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick
#56-Martin Truex Jr., MWR
#60-Todd Bodine, Germain
#64-Larry Gunselman, Max Q Motorsports
#66-Michael McDowell, HP Racing
#77-Steve Wallace, RWR
#78-Regan Smith, Furniture Row
#83-Brian Vickers, Red Bull
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick
#99-Carl Edwards, Roush Fenway
Teams/Drivers not listed planning on attempting the Daytona 500 include: #09-Bill Elliott, #7-Robby Gordon, #47-Bobby Labonte, Front Row Motorsports & Michael Waltip.(List from NASCAR)(1-20-2010)

[DeeDee]

TV Coverage: SPEED and SPEED.com are presenting 23 hours of live testing coverage from Daytona Jan. 20-22 as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series engines roar back to life in the month of January for the first time in three years. John Roberts and Jeff Hammond host SPEED's on-air coverage from the studio above Victory Lane at Daytona. Steve Byrnes, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip will offer analysis throughout the practice sessions with reporting by Bob Dillner and Krista Voda. SPEED.com is presenting live streaming of all on-track activity with the exception of 3:00-5:00 pm/et Thursday, and will feature a rotation of on-air personalities. SPEED schedule for Daytona testing (all times Eastern and live unless otherwise indicated):
Thursday, Jan. 20
9 am - 12 pm (SPEED.com)
1 pm - 5 pm (SPEED.com)
5 pm - 7 pm (same-day delay) (SPEED)
Friday, Jan. 21
9 am - 12 pm (SPEED.com)
1 pm - 2 pm (SPEED)
2 pm - 5 pm (SPEED.com)
Saturday, Jan. 22
9 am - 12 pm (SPEED.com)
1 pm - 2 pm  (SPEED)
2 pm - 5 pm  (SPEED.com)
(SPEED)
AND the Richmond International Raceway site, rir.com/daytona, will carry online video coverage, courtesy of a live SPEED-TV feed.(1-20-2011)

[TeamBlueOval]

MartinsvilleSpeedway.com is also carrying the feed.

I'm watching now ... pretty cool! :)

[TeamBlueOval]

Not that they mean anything, but here are some speeds from this morning (Jayski):

Daytona Testing - Day 1, morning: testing at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, January 20th, Day 1, Session 1, the final speeds of the session, looked like all single car runs:
1) #33 Clint Bowyer, Chevy, 48.855, 184.219
2) #24 Jeff Gordon, Chevy, 48.945, 183.880
3) #5-Mark Martin, Chevy, 49.079, 183.378
4) #1-Jamie McMurray, Chevy, 49.146, 183.128
5) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevy, 49.181, 182.997
6) #2-Brad Keselowski Dodge 49.204, 182.912
7) #99-Carl Edwards, Ford, 49.263, 182.693
8) #20-Joey Logano , Toyota, 49.279, 182.634
9) #31-Jeff Burton, Chevy, 49.287, 182.604
10) #27-Paul Menard, Chevy, 49.294, 182.578
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevy, 49.330, 182.445
12) #11-Denny Hamlin , Toyota, 49.341, 182.404
13) #18-Kyle Busch , Toyota, 49.376, 182.275
14) #22-Kurt Busch Dodge 49.387, 182.234
15) #16-Greg Biffle, Ford, 49.390, 182.223
16) #39-Ryan Newman, Chevy, 49.409, 182.153
17) #09-Bill Elliott, Chevy, 49.409, 182.153
18) #29-Kevin Harvick, Chevy, 49.410, 182.149
19) #21-Trevor Bayne, Ford, 49.484, 181.877
20) #6-David Ragan, Ford, 49.528, 181.715
21) #14-Tony Stewart, Chevy, 49.573, 181.550
22) #78-Regan Smith, Chevy, 49.628, 181.349
23) #83-Brian Vickers , Toyota, 49.668, 181.203
24) #60-Todd Bodine , Toyota, 49.688, 181.130
25) #9-Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.744, 180.926
26) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, 49.750, 180.905
27) #00-David Reutimann , Toyota, 49.762, 180.861
28) #4-Kasey Kahne , Toyota, 49.781, 180.792
29) #43-AJ Allmendinger, Ford, 49.845, 180.560
30) #17-Matt Kenseth, Ford, 49.850, 180.542
31) #13-Casey Mears , Toyota, 49.933, 180.242
32) #56-Martin Truex Jr. , Toyota, 49.971 180.104
33) #77-Steve Wallace, Toyota, 50.418, 178.508
(NASCAR)(1-20-2011)

[TeamBlueOval]

Carl Edwards was in the media center during the lunch break today ... click here (http://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story/ford-racing-notes-and-quotes-daytona-preseason-thunder) to read the transcript.

[TeamBlueOval]

And, the afternoon numbers ...


1) #00-David Reutimann, Toyota, 45.970 195.780
2) #56-Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 45.971 195.776
3) #83-Brian Vickers, Toyota, 46.312 194.334
4) #4-Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 46.312 194.334
5) #14-Tony Stewart, Chevy, 48.165 186.858
6) #24-Jeff Gordon, Chevy, 48.744 184.638
7) #33-Clint Bowyer, Chevy, 48.923 183.963
8) #1-Jamie McMurray, Chevy, 48.937 183.910
9) #18-Kyle Busch, Toyota, 49.031 183.557
10) #99-Carl Edwards, Ford, 49.043 183.512
11) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevy, 49.053 183.475
12) #20-Joey Logano, Toyota, 49.087 183.348
13) #11-Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 49.132 183.180
14) #5-Mark Martin, Chevy, 49.140 183.150
15) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevy, 49.177 183.012
16) #2-Brad Keselowski,Dodge,49.264 182.689
17) #78-Regan Smith, Chevy, 49.268 182.674
18) #29-Kevin Harvick, Chevy, 49.298 182.563
19) #9-Marcos Ambros, Ford, 49.305 182.537
20) #22-Kurt Busch,Dodge, 49.306 182.534
21) #31-Jeff Burton, Chevy, 49.340 182.408
22) #27-Paul Menard, Chevy, 49.352 182.363
23) #16-Greg Biffle, Ford, 49.370 182.297
24) #39-Ryan Newman, Chevy, 49.410 182.149
25) #21-Trevor Bayne, Ford, 49.424 182.098
26) #60-Todd Bodine, Toyota, 49.519 181.748
27) #6-David Ragan, Ford, 49.590 181.488
28) #09-Bill Elliott, Chevy, 49.620 181.378
29) #43-AJ Allmendinger, Ford, 49.687 181.134
30) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, 49.706 181.065
31) #36-Dave Blaney, Chevy, 49.739 180.945
32) #17-Matt Kenseth, Ford, 49.752 180.897
33) #13-Casey Mears, Toyota, 49.874 180.455
34) #77-Steve Wallace, Toyota, 50.036 179.870

~Jayski~

[TeamBlueOval]

Steve Wallace update from TJ Majors (JR's spotter) via Twitter: "The 77 successfully made it onto pit road with no contact with pit wall."

:lol: :lol:

Funny, but maybe TJ should worry about his own driver ... JR hasn't been running much better than Steve Wallace lately! ;)

[DeeDee]

:lol:

[DeeDee]

Sound Off: New track, wild 500
Drivers talk about how the new track is going to make this Daytona 500 one of the most exciting of all time.
http://www.nascar.com/video/none/none/110120/cup-thunder-media-track-daytona-mov/index.html

[DeeDee]

#Daytona Testing Speeds - Day 2, Session 3 - January 21, 2011

Daytona Testing - Day 2, afternoon: testing at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, January 21st, Day 2, Session 3, the final speeds of the session. The morning session was canceled due to rain/drizzle/fog:
1) #11-Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 45.716 196.868
2) #14-Tony Stewart, Chevy, 45.719 196.855
3) #20-Joey Logano, Toyota, 45.757 196.691
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 45.873 196.194
5) #31-Jeff Burton, Chevy, 45.954 195.848
6) #83-Brian Vickers, Toyota, 45.955 195.844
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevy, 46.037 195.495
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, 46.037 195.495
9) #18-Kyle Busch, Toyota, 46.054 195.423
10) #4-Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 46.170 194.932
11) #77-Steve Wallace, Toyota, 46.468 193.682
12) #33-Clint Bowyer, Chevy, 48.583 185.250
13) #1-Jamie McMurray, Chevy, 48.946 183.876
14) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevy, 48.953 183.850
15) #24-Jeff Gordon, Chevy, 49.125 183.206
16) #5-Mark Martin, Chevy, 49.230 182.815
17) #39-Ryan Newman, Chevy, 49.377 182.271
18) #27-Paul Menard, Chevy, 49.392 182.216
19) #16-Greg Biffle, Ford, 49.409 182.153
20) #99-Carl Edwards, Ford, 49.520 181.745
21) #21-Trevor Bayne, Ford, 49.573 181.550
22) #9-Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.575 181.543
23) #22-Kurt Busch, Dodge, 49.590 181.488
24) #29-Kevin Harvick, Chevy, 49.597 181.463
25) #43-AJ Allmendinger, Ford, 49.661 181.229
26) #09-Bill Elliott, Chevy, 49.698 181.094
27) #00-David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.743 180.930
28) #6-David Ragan, Ford, 49.768 180.839
29) #60-Landon Cassill, Toyota, 49.790 180.759
30) #17-Matt Kenseth, Ford, 49.854 180.527
31) #56-Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 49.894 180.382
32) #78-Regan Smith, Chevy, 49.900 180.361
33) #36-Dave Blaney, Chevy, 49.925 180.270
34) #13-Casey Mears, Toyota, 50.241 179.137
(NASCAR)(1-21-2011)

[speedfan]

Sound Off: New track, wild 500
Drivers talk about how the new track is going to make this Daytona 500 one of the most exciting of all time.
http://www.nascar.com/video/none/none/110120/cup-thunder-media-track-daytona-mov/index.html

here is a clip with some additional comments
http://www.jmcsgarage.com/video/drivers_discuss_new_daytona.flv

[Dog]

Steve is sure looking racy in the frist two practices :p