Daytona test notes 96-01-04

LABONTE TERRY LABONTE PICKS UP PACE AT DAYTONA TEST SESSION

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 4) -- Terry Labonte turned in the fastest speed among the 10 Chevrolet NASCAR Winston Cup teams that were at Daytona International Speedway Thursday during the second of a three-day test session in preparation for the Feb. 18 Daytona 500.

Labonte, coming off a sixth place in the 1995 standings, posted the fastest time of the day as well as the fastest of the winter so far, in Rick Hendrick's Kellogg's Chevrolet. Texas native Labonte posted a quick lap of 47.994 seconds, an average speed of 187.523 mph. Two-time defending Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin eased his Monte Carlo into second on the winter chart with a lap at 187.480 mph while Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon equalled Jeff Purvis' Wednesday best with a lap at 187.075.

The test concludes on Friday. A section of the Oldfield Grandstand is open daily at no charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with access through the Visitors' Center. Guided tours of the Speedway are also available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a nominal fee.

Meanwhile, the expected appearance of Pontiac's new Grand Prix at Daytona was delayed. Bill Davis Racing and Petty Enterprises tested their Pontiacs at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Wednesday.

GENERAL MOTORS TEST SPEEDS -- Jan. 4 *

NO   DRIVER/CAR                       TIME                  SPEED
5    Terry Labonte/Chevrolet          47.994                187.523
4    Sterling Marlin/Chevrolet        48.005                187.480
24   Jeff Gordon/Chevrolet            48.109                187.075
3    Dale Earnhardt/Chevrolet         48.116                186.854
44   Jeff Purvis/Chevrolet            48.186                186.776
87   Joe Nemechek/Chevrolet           48.300                186.335
71   Dave Marcis/Chevrolet            48.504                185.552
33   Robert Pressley/Chevrolet        48.540                185.414
17   Darrell Waltrip/Chevrolet        48.724                184.714
24j  Jack Sprague/Chevrolet           49.034                183.546
29   Steve Grissom/Chevrolet          49.125                183.206

* Electronic times taken randomly throughout the day.