Day Three of Ford Testing at Daytona

NASCAR Winston Cup Ford stock car testing - Day 3 of 3 PRESSLEY QUICKEST AS FORD TEAMS WRAP UP TEST AT DAYTONA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Robert Pressley of Asheville, N.C., posted the fastest time on the third and final day of Ford NASCAR Winston Cup testing Thursday at Daytona International Speedway as teams prepare for the all-new Bud Shootout At Daytona (Feb. 8) and the "Great American Race," the 40th Annual Daytona 500 (Feb. 15).

The test was hampered by rain for much of the day, but teams did salvage a few hours of track time late in the afternoon. It was the No. 77 Jasper Engines Ford Thunderbird of Pressley that again set the pace, as he was clocked at 47.779 seconds, for an average speed of 188.367 mph. Pressley's Thursday speed was also the quickest time turned in over the three days of Ford testing.

The busy schedule of pre-season testing continues tomorrow as over 60 sports car teams are expected at the "World Center of Racing" as preparation begins for the 36th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona (Jan. 31-Feb. 1). Additionally, a news conference including many of the pre-race favorites to capture the Rolex 24 At Daytona is scheduled for noon in Daytona's Infield Media Center. Some of the drivers scheduled to participate are 1997 Rolex 24 At Daytona champion Rob Dyson, 1996 Rolex 24 At Daytona champion Wayne Taylor, the all-time leader in Rolex 24 victories Hurley Haywood and many more.

A section of the Oldfield Grandstand is open daily for the test sessions at no charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with access through DAYTONA USA, "The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction." Guided tours of the Speedway are also available from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a nominal fee.

                FORD TEST SPEEDS -- Jan. 8*
NO  DRIVER/CAR                          TIME            SPEED
77   Robert Pressley/Ford Thunderbird   47.779  188.367 mph 
75   Rick Mast/Ford Taurus              47.917  187.825         
28   Kenny Irwin/Ford Taurus            47.962  187.649 
 9   Lake Speed/Ford Taurus             48.026  187.398         
90   Dick Trickle/Ford Taurus           48.684  184.866 
37   Jeremy Mayfield/Ford Taurus        48.820  184.351

* Electronic times taken throughout the day's practice sessions.