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Daytona First Day of Testing Report

IRVAN FASTEST ON FIRST DAY OF PEPSI 400 TESTING 1991 Daytona 500 champion Ernie Irvan, driving the No. 36 Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix, recorded the quickest lap on the first of a two-day test session at Daytona International Speedway in ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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IRVAN FASTEST ON FIRST DAY OF PEPSI 400 TESTING

1991 Daytona 500 champion Ernie Irvan, driving the No. 36 Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix, recorded the quickest lap on the first of a two-day test session at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the Oct. 17 Pepsi 400. Irvan's lap of 188.403 mph bested that of Mike Dillon (188.363 mph), who is substituting for Dale Earnhardt, and Dennis Setzer (186.761 mph).

1990 Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope is looking forward to the inaugural nighttime running of the Pepsi 400 and finishing a disappointing 1998 season on a high note. "I'm excited about the first night race," said Cope. "This will be the largest place we've ever run at night, so it will definitely be unique. Even though we're running here in October rather than July, the weather will be cooler and the drivers will be more comfortable in the cars. I think everyone enjoys running at night, but to do it at Daytona will be special.

"We felt like we had the car to beat at Daytona in February (during the Daytona 500) and if it wasn't for an accident I think we could have given Dale (Earnhardt) a run for his money. We qualified seventh and hopefully we can do that again or at least qualify somewhere in the top ten. To win the Pepsi 400 would be outstanding, but to win anytime at Daytona is an incredible accomplishment. There's a lot of prestige with that first night race, to add it to my Daytona 500 victory would be very, very special."

The July 4 Pepsi 400, and related activities, were postponed to Oct. 15-17 at the "World Center of Racing" due to wildfires in the Volusia County area. The much-anticipated 40th Pepsi 400 on Oct. 17, will be preceded on Oct. 15-16 with practice and qualifying. Although all tickets for the Pepsi 400 race have been sold, tickets for Pepsi 400 Pole Night are still available by calling the Speedway ticket office at 904-253-7223.

TEST SPEEDS -- Oct. 5

No. DRIVER/CAR TIME SPEED 36 Ernie Irvan/Pontiac 47.77 secs 188.403 3 Mike Dillon/Chevrolet 47.78 188.363 89 Dennis Setzer/Ford 48.19 186.761 7 Geoff Bodine/Ford 48.28 186.413 30 Derrike Cope/Pontiac 48.35 186.146 13 Ted Musgrave/Ford 48.51 185.529 41 Rick Wilson/Chevrolet 48.54 185.414 11 Brett Bodine/Ford 48.65 184.995

Note -- Hand-timed speeds randomly taken throughout the night.

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