The three-day open test for NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series teams at Las Vegas Motor Speedway concluded Wednesday with Speedway Children’s Charities earning $10,000.
While local charities were the big winners during the three-day test, NASCAR Winston Cup rookie of the year contender Scott Pruett caught everyone’s eye. Pruett, driving for the newly-formed Cal Wells PPI Motorsports Ford team, posted the fastest lap of the three-day test. He recorded a 31.802-second lap at 169.811 mph in preparation for the March 5 CarsDirect.com 400.
The test session, which included 40 teams over three days, was open to the public for a $5 donation to Speedway Children’s Charities. On top of the spectators’ contribution, MonsterTrucks.com made its own donation to the worthy cause making this a winning fundraiser for SCC.
"This was a great opportunity for race fans. They got to watch their favorite NASCAR stars while helping children in Las Vegas," said SCC Chairperson Missy Powell. "This was our first fundraiser for 2000, and we are very happy with the end result. Our goal is to raise $200,000 in 2000, and I think we have a great start."
Pruett also is off to a great start. He was among the fastest cars during January testing at Daytona.
"This team didn’t get off the ground until September," said Pruett, a former Fed Ex CART Series star. "We have Indy and NASCAR guys on the team who seem to be coming together quickly."
Kenny Irwin, who is in his first season as driver of the No. 42 BellSouth Mobility Chevrolet Monte Carlo, had the second fastest lap at 32.419 seconds and 166.666 mph.
David Green led all NASCAR Busch Series teams with a speed of 162.650 mph as he prepared for the Sam’s Town 300 on March 4.
NASCAR Winston Cup stars Bobby Hamilton, Sterling Marlin, Robert Pressley and Michael Waltrip joined Pruett and Irwin for Wednesday’s testing. NASCAR Busch Series drivers Hermie Sadler, Todd Bodine, Mike McLaughlin, Dave Steele, Jason Leffler, Anthony Lazzaro, Blaise Alexander, Bobby Hillin Jr., Jason Jarrett and Tim Fedewa joined Green in testing.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE:TRK), a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. SMI owns and operates the following premiere facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sears Point Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway. SMI also provides event food, beverage, and souvenir merchandising services through its Finish Line Events subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary.
