Atlanta test 98-10-20

Nemechek, Marlin test at Atlanta HAMPTON, Ga. (Oct. 20, 1998) Joe Nemechek stepped up his lap times from Monday's open practice, posting a fast lap Tuesday of 186.064 mph in his BellSouth Chevrolet during the second day of opening testing at ...

Nemechek, Marlin test at Atlanta

HAMPTON, Ga. (Oct. 20, 1998) Joe Nemechek stepped up his lap times from Monday's open practice, posting a fast lap Tuesday of 186.064 mph in his BellSouth Chevrolet during the second day of opening testing at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Nov. 8 NAPA 500, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' season finale.

Nemechek's Team SABCO teammate Sterling Marlin was clocked a little slower, posting a fast speed of 186.853 mph in the Coors Light Chevrolet.

Harris DeVane of Cuthbert, Ga., the defending champion of the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Winn-Dixie 250, was the only other driver who tested Tuesday, as he will attempt to make his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut next month at Atlanta. He posted a speed of 172.441 mph.

"We're a little down on power," DeVane said. "We need to change the gear ratio and try to knock the lap times down a little. I'm excited about making my Winston Cup debut in Atlanta ... if we can get up to speed."

Testing continued Wednesday for NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division cars preparing for the Nov. 7 Stihl 300, as well ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series teams.