2008 Daytona Testing Dates Announced: Testing dates for the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway have been finalized. The first wave of Sprint Cup Series teams will test in preparation for "The Great American Race" on Jan. 7-9 with Jan. 10 serving as a rain date. The second wave of Sprint Cup Series testing will be Jan. 14-16 with Jan. 17 serving as a rain date. The Sprint Cup Series teams will be split into two groups based on the owner's points following the Sprint Cup race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway [see owners pts after Chicago page]. Among the drivers expected to be in the first wave of teams (odd-numbered teams in the owner's standings) will be Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch. Among the expected drivers in the second wave (even-numbered teams in the owner's standings) are Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr. and Jamie McMurray. Testing dates for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 season, will be announced at a later date.
Other testing dates for Preseason Thunder include:
* Jan. 4-6, Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve in preparation for the 46th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-27, all teams.
* Jan. 11-13, Craftsman Truck Series in preparation for the Feb. 15 Chevy Silverado 250, all trucks
* Jan. 18-22, Busch [New sponsor name for series] Series in preparation for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 presented by Chevrolet, two different sessions
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest dates, which will coincide with January's Sprint Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Busch [new name] Series and Rolex Series testing sessions at the "World Center of Racing," will be held on the following dates:
* Jan. 5: The Roar Before The Rolex 24
* Jan. 8: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 12: Craftsman Truck Fan Fest
* Jan. 15: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 19: Busch [new sponsor name] Series Fan Fest
The Fan Fest events start at 5 p.m. but fans may enter the Sprint Fanzone beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action on those days. Admissions for the Nextel Cup Fan Fest dates are $15 while Busch and Craftsman Truck Series admissions are $10. The Roar Before The Rolex 24 admission is also $10. Fans will be able to get a sneak peek on teams as they prepare for DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 with inquisitive fan forums with many of their favorite drivers as well as enjoying all the state-of-the-art amenities in the popular Sprint Fanzone. Also included in NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations, displays, a silent auction and hot laps around DIS (additional charge). Fans can continue to watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of The Daytona 500 Experience. Tickets for Preseason Thunder Fan Fests are by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (DIS PR)
Other testing dates for Preseason Thunder include:
* Jan. 4-6, Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve in preparation for the 46th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-27, all teams.
* Jan. 11-13, Craftsman Truck Series in preparation for the Feb. 15 Chevy Silverado 250, all trucks
* Jan. 18-22, Busch [New sponsor name for series] Series in preparation for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 presented by Chevrolet, two different sessions
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest dates, which will coincide with January's Sprint Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Busch [new name] Series and Rolex Series testing sessions at the "World Center of Racing," will be held on the following dates:
* Jan. 5: The Roar Before The Rolex 24
* Jan. 8: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 12: Craftsman Truck Fan Fest
* Jan. 15: Nextel [Sprint] Cup Fan Fest
* Jan. 19: Busch [new sponsor name] Series Fan Fest
The Fan Fest events start at 5 p.m. but fans may enter the Sprint Fanzone beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action on those days. Admissions for the Nextel Cup Fan Fest dates are $15 while Busch and Craftsman Truck Series admissions are $10. The Roar Before The Rolex 24 admission is also $10. Fans will be able to get a sneak peek on teams as they prepare for DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 with inquisitive fan forums with many of their favorite drivers as well as enjoying all the state-of-the-art amenities in the popular Sprint Fanzone. Also included in NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations, displays, a silent auction and hot laps around DIS (additional charge). Fans can continue to watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of The Daytona 500 Experience. Tickets for Preseason Thunder Fan Fests are by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (DIS PR)