Gordon Fastest at Daytona

[muggle not]

Jeff, that is. hehe, I beat Kat to it.

By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeff Gordon neared 190 mph Tuesday in posting the fastest speed in the second of NASCAR's three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway. The four-time Cup champion was second to Bill Elliott on Monday but flipped the order with a top lap of 188.466 mph in his primary Chevy at the afternoon session.

Elliott (188.025 mph) was second in his backup Chevy while Elliott Sadler vaulted six spots from the morning session to finish third (187.594 mph) in the new Ford Fusion. Jimmie Johnson remained among the fastest, improving on a morning-best 186.966 mph with an afternoon speed of 187.582 mph to rank fourth.

Johnson also expressed his displeasure that NASCAR's new testing system is limited to six tracks, which he said keeps teams from making improvements.

"I understand the reasons behind it," Johnson said during a news conference, "but I hate that if a team is in need, they can't go out and try to better themselves. It's very tough and when we show up and we have a couple hours of practice, you're not going to try new things to develop your race cars."

The Ford of Matt Kenseth was fifth-fastest at 186.982. Mike McLaughlin — filling in during the three-day test for reigning Cup champion Tony Stewart, who was at an appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — was next at 186.614 in a Chevy, with the Dodge of Jeremy Mayfield close behind at 186.521.

All the top speeds on Tuesday came in the second session of the day for teams that finished in the odd points positions in last year's Cup standings. The teams that finished in the even positions will test on the 2½-mile Daytona oval next week.

Musgrave deal: Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave agreed Tuesday to a multiyear deal to drive a Toyota Tundra for Germain Motorsports, teaming with 2005 third-place finisher Todd Bodine.

Musgrave had planned to drive Fords for Ultra Motorsports this season until owner Jim Smith abruptly closed shop on Friday because he couldn't find sponsorship.

"We didn't see it coming," Musgrave said of the sudden decision, "but it all worked out."

Contributing: The Associated Press

 

[buckaroo]

How about Bill Elliott second fastest overall? My Lord, his daddy is not only rolling over in his grave, he's got to be clawing to get out and slap his boy on the head. Actually, this isn't the first time that Bill has driven a Cheby and the first time, as least the first time that I know of, he daddy was still alive.

I wish Bill the best of luck with his Daytona race and we all know he can do it. However, since "rp" racing, Bill has either been in the front, or all the way to the back during the majority of the race. He doesn't feel at all comfortable racing in the middle of that pack. A few years ago, it didn't matter whether you lost the draft during pit stops because you could always catch back up, but of late, while they haven't been able to break up the huge packs, they have made it more difficult for those who are pretty far back to catch up.