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Posted on Tue, Dec. 13, 2005

Daytona testing right around the cornerThatsRacin.com

ReportDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will kick off with a pair of much anticipated test sessions at historic Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the prestigious season-opening 48th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 19.Among those scheduled for the first session, Jan. 9-11, include Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Newman. Chip Ganassi Racing rookies David Stremme and Reed Sorenson are scheduled to test in the first session, as well as Ken Schrader, Scott Riggs and Bobb Labonte - who will all have new rides in 2006.

Roush Racing drivers Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin will test in the second session with new teammate Jamie McMurray. Others in the second test include Kurt Busch, driving a Penske Racing Dodge, Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers.
Rookies Martin Truex Jr., J.J. Yeley, Clint Bowyer and Brent Sherman are scheduled for the second session Jan. 16-18.
Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart is likely to skip testing, and no driver was listed for the No. 20 Chevrolet.

http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/13400420.htm

OH OH.....

Posted on Thu, Dec. 15, 2005

Transforming Talladega: Track to get fresh coat of asphalt

ThatsRacin.com Report

Talladega Superspeedway announced Thursday that the 2.66-mile track will be completely repaved with asphalt after next April's race and will be done in time for next year's UAW-Ford 500 in October. The track hasn't been repaved since 1979. "Twenty-six years has certainly been a long time to go without necessitating a project this extensive, so there is no question that the time has come for us to repave," track president Grant Lynch said. "It will ensure that Talladega Superspeedway continues to uphold its reputation for the most exciting, most competitive racing throughout the entire NASCAR circuit for years to come.
"If our track history is any indication, it will increase the level of competitiveness. The first race held here after our last repaving project was one of the most exciting on the record books."

A portable asphalt plant will be moved to track grounds this month, with working beginning in February. Trial batches of asphalt will be tested on speedway property before on-track work begins.

http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/13414780.htm