NEWMAN, KENSETH FASTEST ON SECOND DAY OF NASCAR TESTING AT LVMS

LAS VEGAS – Despite weather forecasts calling for snow, rain – or both – the second day of NASCAR testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway never was interrupted. Although snow flurries were spotted in other parts of town, weather at LVMS was sunny but chilly and 32 teams made the most of their preseason track time.

Las Vegas’ Kurt Busch was fastest in qualifying trim, turning in a lap of 31.82 sec.

“It seems like we’re just as fast, whether we’re in race trim or qualifying trim,” Busch said. “The pole was 31.37 sec. a year ago and you would think it would be faster. I hope it will be faster when we come back in March. It’s a good feeling to be one of the faster cars here. Needless to say, I really enjoy coming here.”

Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth – both driving Fords – were fastest in race trim. Each driver turned in a lap of 32.27 sec.

The only incident of the day occurred at 3:30 p.m. when Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter spun in Turn 4 and backed into the wall. Sauter walked away uninjured.

Good seats for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam’s Town 300 are still available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Las Vegas Motor Speedway ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or by visiting the speedway’s website anytime at LVMS.com.

Bobby Labonte, 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, will appear at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Ponderosa Room. There is no admission charge.

Winston Cup Series lap times (provided by team members):
6 -- Mark Martin* – 32.49 (race trim)
8 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 32.88 sec.(race trim)
12 – Ryan Newman – 32.27 (race trim)
15 – Michael Waltrip – 33.05 (race trim)
17 -- Matt Kenseth* – 32.27 (race trim)
18 – Bobby Labonte – 33.12 sec.(race trim)
19 -- Jeremy Mayfield – 32.54 sec.(qualifying trim)
20 – Tony Stewart – 32.43 (race trim)
21 -- Elliott Sadler* – 32.30 (race trim)
23 – Hut Stricklin – 32.40 sec.(“in-between”)
24 -- Jeff Gordon* – 31.95 sec.(qualifying trim), 32.30 sec. (race trim)
26 – Joe Nemechek* -- 32.24 sec.(“in-between”)
29 -- Kevin Harvick – 32.38 (race trim)
31 -- Robby Gordon* – 32.57 (race trim)
36 – Ken Schrader – 32.52 sec.(race trim)
44 – Buckshot Jones – 33.00 sec.(race trim)
45 – Kyle Petty – 31.90 sec.(qualifying trim)
48 -- Jimmie Johnnson* – 32.50 (race trim)
55 – Bobby Hamilton – 32.80 sec.(race trim)
57 -- Derrike Cope* – 33.07 (race trim)
66 – Todd Bodine – 32.54 sec.(qualifying trim)
77 – Dave Blaney – 31.90 sec.(qualifying trim)
88 -- Dale Jarrett* – 32.50 (race trim)
97 -- Kurt Busch* – 31.82 sec. (qualifying trim), 32.30 sec. (race trim)
99 -- Jeff Burton* – 32.54 sec. (qualifying trim)
* Also participated Monday.

The following NASCAR Busch Series teams also tested today: Jimmy Spencer, Johnny Sauter, Kerry Earnhardt, Mike McLaughlin, Jeff Green, Jeff Purvis and Chad Little.