FOURTH DAY OF NASCAR TESTING AT LVMS COMPLETE

LAS VEGAS – NASCAR testingat Las Vegas Motor Speedway is now history. The 18-wheel trailers are headed east on I-40, making their return trip to North Carolina as NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series teams prepare for the season opener at Daytona Beach, Fla. Shortly after the Daytona 500, the NASCAR teams will return to Las Vegas for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam’s Town 300 in March.

Only four Winston Cup Series teams remained for the final day of testing. Unofficially, the Chevrolet team of Jerry Nadeau was quickest in the still-chilly Las Vegas air. Ten Busch Series teams tested at LVMS today, with Jack Sprague posting the fastest unofficial time.

Good seats for the March 3 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, Sam’s Town 300 (March 2) and Pole Day (March 1) are still available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Las Vegas Motor Speedway ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or by visiting thespeedway’s website anytime at LVMS.com.

With four days of NASCAR testing in the history books, attention is now focused on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. NHRA Pro and Sportsman testing at The Strip will begin Friday, Feb. 1, and end on Sunday, Feb. 3. A number of top-name drag racers are expected to participate, including Top Fuel pilot Andrew Cowin, Funny Car star Cruz Pedregon and Pro Stock racers George Marnell and Tom Martino. Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Gary Scelzi will make his final licensing run (must exceed 265 mph) in his new Toyota Funny Car. NHRA testing is open to the public, with an admission fee of $15 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, students and military members. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. Drivers will be available for autographs and photos. Gates will open each day at 8 a.m. Testing begins each day at 9 a.m.

Winston Cup Series lap times (reported by team members):
5 – Terry Labonte – 32.55 sec.(qualifying trim)
10 – Johnny Benson – 33.00 (race trim)
25 – Jerry Nadeau – 32.20 sec. (race trim)
41 – Jimmy Spencer – 32.25 sec. (race trim)

NASCAR Busch Series lap times(reported by team members):
Ricky Hendrick – 32.62 sec. (race trim)
Jeff Burton –32.72 sec. (race trim)
Jack Sprague – 32.60 sec. (race trim)
Dan Pardus –33.40 sec. (race trim)
Hank Parker Jr. – 33.00 sec. (race trim)
Brian Vickers – 33.15 sec. (race trim)
Shane Hmiel – 32.97 sec. (race trim)
Greg Biffle – 32.77 sec. (race trim)
Casey Mears –33.00 sec. (race trim)
Joe Nemechek.—33.00 (race trim)