Daytona test - Marlin, Labonte

Marlin Tests in Defense of Pepsi 400 Title

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 9) -- NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Sterling Marlin and Bobby Labonte participated in a one-day test Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the July 5 Pepsi 400, the mid-season event in the 32-race schedule. Marlin, the defending champion of the Pepsi 400 and a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, clocked the fastest lap of the day, unofficially 184.162 mph in a simulated qualifying run in the Kodak Film Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Labonte, on the other hand, concentrated on getting a "stable" set-up under his Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix. Labonte focused on laps in the mid- to high-183 mph range, and reportedly never attempted a run in qualifying trim. Currently the only other NASCAR Winston Cup test scheduled in preparation for the Pepsi 400 will be June 10-12 by Hendrick Motorsports. Excellent tower seats remain for the Pepsi 400, which offers an opportunity to see the same NASCAR stars who ran in "The World's Greatest Race" to open the season. To order tickets call the ticket office at (904) 253-7223.