NASCAR testing begins today!

[ChuckLicata]

2006 Daytona Testing Dates set: Teams in the odd-number rankings in the car owner points after Sunday’s race [at Chicago] will test at Daytona on Jan. 9-11 with Jan. 12 as the rain date. Teams in the even-number rankings in the car owner points standings will test at Daytona on Jan. 16-18 with a rain date of Jan. 19. Of course, NASCAR allows some teams to switch test dates if needed.(News and Record)(7-12-2005)

UPDATE on 2006 Daytona Testing: The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will kick off with a pair of much anticipated test sessions at historic Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the prestigious season-opening 48th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 19.

The list of teams expected to participate in the first NEXTEL Cup Series test session on Jan. 9-11 include (list is tentative and subject to change - last updated 1-5-2006 - some changes have been made due to scheduling conflicts):

(18 drivers listed)

* Scott Wimmer, #4 Auto-Exhaust Chevy

* Dale Earnhardt Jr., #8 Budweiser Chevy

* Kasey Kahne, #9 Dodge

* Ryan Newman, #12 Alltel Dodge

* Jeremy Mayfield, #19 Dodge

* Mike McLaughlin (subbing for Tony Stewart), #20 Home Depot Chevy

* Ken Schrader, #21 Motorcraft/Air Force Ford

* Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevy

* Jeff Burton, #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy

* Bill Elliott, #36 MB2 Motorsports Chevy

* Elliott Sadler, #38 M&M's Ford

* David Stremme, #40 Coors Light Dodge

* Reed Sorenson, #41 Target Dodge

* Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios Dodge

* Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevy

* Matt Kenseth, #17 DeWalt Ford [was originally sched for session 2]

* Martin Truex Jr., #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy [was originally sched for session 2]

* Greg Sacks, #13 Dodge [added]

 

The list of teams expected to participate in the even-numbered NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series test session on Jan. 16-18 include (list is tentative and subject to change):

(26 teams/drivers listed)

* Joe Nemechek, #01 U.S. Army Chevy

* Clint Bowyer, #07 Jack Daniels Chevy

* Jeff Green, #0 Chevy

* Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge

* Kyle Busch, #5 Kellogg's Chevy

* Mark Martin, #6 AAA Ford

* Denny Hamlin, #11 FedEx Chevy

* Sterling Marlin, #14 Waste Management Chevy

* J.J. Yeley, #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy

* Dave Blaney, #22 Caterpillar Dodge

* Brian Vickers, #25 Ditech.com Chevy

* Jamie McMurray, #26 Sharpie Ford

* Kevin Harvick, #29 GM Goodwrench/Reese's Chevy

* Greg Biffle, #16 National Guard Ford

* Casey Mears, #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge

* Kyle Petty, #45 Dodge

* Brent Sherman, #49 Schwan's Dodge

* Michael Waltrip, #55 NAPA Dodge

* Carl Edwards, #99 Office Depot Ford

* Robby Gordon/Paul Tracy [16th], #7 Jim Beam Chevy [was originally sched for session 1]

* Travis Kvapil, #32 Tide Chevy [was originally sched for session 1]

* Scott Riggs, #10 Valvoline Dodge [was originally sched for session 1]

* Dale Jarrett, #88 UPS Ford [was originally sched for session 1]

* Mike Wallace, #09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge [added]

* Morgan Shepherd, #89 Racing with Jesus Ford

* Terry Labonte, #96 Hall of Fame Racing Chevy

 

Teams not listed include: #37-Mike Skinner, #92-Chad Chaffin, #61-Kevin Lepage, #15-Paul Menard, #52-Donnie Neuenberger, all who supposedly plan to run the Daytona 500.

 

All testing sessions run 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with a noon lunch break. Fans can watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of DAYTONA USA.

 

TV Coverage: Speed Channel will carry Daytona and Las Vegas Testing Shows, a 30-minute, same-day-delay [sDD] at 7:00pm/et with scheduled replays: Jan 9-11, Nextel Cup; Jan 15, Truck Series; Jan 16-18, Nextel Cup; Jan 22, Busch Series; Feb 1 - Nextel Cup testing at Las Vegas.

[leland]

Hey chuck thanks for the info. do you know if they are going to show any of this on the tv. thanks leland