Jan. 28, 2008

LAS VEGAS – Michael Waltrip and the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS team are back on the road for another round of Preseason Thunder testing. The NAPA crew test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Monday and Tuesday before heading to California Speedway to test on Thursday and Friday.

During today’s morning session, rain shortened practice by about 30 minutes. Nevertheless, the majority of the Sprint Cup teams had enough time to work on single-car set-ups. Waltrip produced the 28th-quickest time (30.591 seconds/176.523 mph) in chassis 55A. His Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Dale Jarrett was 14th (30.421 seconds/177.509 mph) in chassis 44A. David Reutimann tested two of his MWR Racing Toyota Camrys, as well, recording the 16th-fastest time in chassis 00B (30.429 seconds/177.462 mph) and 23rd-fastest lap in chassis 00A (30.553 seconds/176.742 mph). Rookie racer Michael McDowell was 45th (30.852 seconds/175.029 mph).

The afternoon practice was extended by 30 minutes to make up for the rain delay. Rookie of the Year contenders Sam Hornish, Dario Franchitti and Jacques Villeneuve fell victim to the challenging Las Vegas track, with Franchitti and Hornish making contact with the wall. Both their primary cars were damaged beyond repair. Villeneuve spun in Turn 1 but was able to continue.

The Michael Waltrip Racing teams did well in the second session. Reutimann ranked 13th (29.829 seconds/181.032 mph) in chassis 00B, Waltrip finished 28th (29.980 seconds/180.120 mph) in chassis 55A, Jarrett scored 37th (30.0761 seconds/179.575 mph) in 44A and McDowell ranked 49th (30.203 seconds/178.790 mph) in 32A. None of the times recorded today by the NAPA team were completed in qualifying trim. The team focused on driver comfort and race runs.

The final day of Preseason Thunder testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will take place tomorrow. Two more practices are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT, respectively.

Day 1 Testing Results: http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/test.speeds.3/index.html