Daytona testing day 3 97-12-22-97

SOURCE: Daytona International Speedway

PARDUS POSTS QUICK LAP ON FINAL DAY OF ARCA SERIES TESTING AT DAYTONA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dan Pardus, of Daytona Beach, Fla., posted the fastest speed on the final of three days of ARCA Series testing Monday at Daytona International Speedway. Pardus, driving the No. 42 Gardner Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was clocked at 48.8 seconds, for an average speed of 184.426 mph. Pardus, a graduate of the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series, was impressive in his ARCA debut at Daytona last February, turning in a ninth-place finish. The ARCA Series' season-opening Daytona ARCA 200, to be held in conjunction with the all new Bud Shootout At Daytona, is scheduled for Feb. 8. "The car feels pretty good," said Pardus. "We're trying to get things dialed in right now. This is a brand new car, so it's a new deal for us. We worked all of Friday night just to get the car ready. "But, we came out on Saturday and ran the car only about 15 laps and we were one of the fastest cars here. We're pretty excited about that, and we think there is still a lot we can do to the car. Last year I was just looking for a good top-10 finish, this year I think we have the potential to win the ARCA 200. I've got a little more experience under my belt and I really enjoy superspeedway racing. I'm excited and all of my guys from Daytona that have been behind me for all these years, they're really excited about this year's Speedweeks. "If we get through the ARCA race and everything goes good, we may shoot to try to make the field for the Daytona 500. We need a local guy in there, since Marvin Panch and Fireball and all the boys from years ago, there really hasn't been anybody from Daytona that has run in the past few years." Pre-season testing continues Jan. 3 when NASCAR Winston Cup General Motors teams begin a three-day test in preparation for the Bud Shootout At Daytona and the Feb. 15 Daytona 500. A section of the Oldfield Grandstand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the test sessions at no charge with access through DAYTONA USA, "The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction." Guided Speedway Tours are also available from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a nominal fee.

ARCA SERIES TEST SPEEDS -- Dec. 22* No Driver/Car Speed 42 Dan Pardus/Chevrolet 184.426 mph 32 Mark Stahl/Ford 178.571 66 Mark Thompson/Ford 184.335 53 Bob Kelly/Chevrolet 178.218 80 Andy Hillenburg/Ford 183.673 3 Kirk Shelmerdine/Chevrolet 176.471 11 Glen Morgan/Chevrolet 180.723 82 Neil Cunningham/Ford 171.756 18 Josh Baltes/Chevrolet 179.283 70 Billy Meazell/Chevrolet 166.052

* Electronic times taken randomly throughout the day.