Lady in Black gets it right
Many drivers were worried when they heard Darlington Raceway was going to get resurfaced.Perhaps they looked at how things got messed up when the same thing happened at Lowe's Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in recent years.
But if Wednesday's Goodyear tire test was any indication, then the track will be fine. The three drivers, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle, were pleased with the new smooth surface and speeds were up, which will make for a fun qualifying day and should make for better race.
Other observations from Monday's test:
— Ryan Newman turned in a lap of 29.06 after 10 laps, which is quicker the Clint Bowyer's pole time last year.-
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't kidding Sunday when he invited media members to the Darlington test. He also showed up there, although he didn't test. Earnhardt along with buddy Martin Truex Jr. and JR Motorsports driver Brad Keselowski took laps in an SUV. Casey Mears also there, flying down with Gordon.
— One notable absence Monday was Toyota. The manufacturer didn't have a car represented at the test. A spokesman from Goodyear said not all manufacturers are included in every tire test and only two or three are really needed. He also said it had nothing to do with Tony Stewart’s comments from Sunday.
This could be true because last year Ford wasn't included until Jack Roush complained and was able to send Biffle at the last minute to the track. It remains to be seen if a Toyota will be on the track at Tuesday's session which is closed to the media.
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on 03/10 at 10:28 PM
