Garage Chatter: Preseason testing, round two

Jim Beam/Fruit of the Loom to sponsor Robby Gordon: Robby Gordon Motorsports announced this week that they have signed on two sponsors for the 2005 season. Jim Beam will sponsor Gordon's No. 7 Chevrolet in the season opening Daytona 500.

"Robby Gordon Motorsports is excited to partner with a leading brand like Jim Beam Bourbon," said owner/driver Robby Gordon. "It means a lot to us and our fans to have a sponsor with an established interest and commitment to motorsports - it speaks to the integrity of our combined motivations and is a great fit for both of us. Our goal is to be number one - just as Jim Beam Bourbon is - and with our sponsors, experienced crew and great facilities, we're on track to keep racing for the Winner's Circle every week."

Fruit of the Loom, Gordon's sponsor in the Busch series No. 55 Chevy, has signed on too sponsor nine races with Gordon. The exact number of races Jim Beam will serve as primary sponsor was not disclosed.

Kahne/Riggs chart fast times: Kasey Kahne, the 2004 rookie of the year, paced Cup testing Thursday with a top time of 188.088 mph. Scott Riggs was fastest in Wednesday testing with a speed of 186.097 mph.

Stewart/Sadler test Texas: Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler took to the track at Texas Motor Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday for Goodyear tire testing.

Sadler is the defending race winner.

"This is one of my favorite tracks," said Sadler. "It is like an old jacket you put on, it just feels comfortable when you come here, drive up on pit road to go out on the track."

New qualifying procedures for Daytona?: Reports have indicated that NASCAR officials will announce in the coming days a procedural change to Daytona qualifying that would lock the top 35 drivers into guaranteed starting spots.

Earlier this year NASCAR announced that the provisional system has been thrown out, with the exception of the "champions provisional".

NASCAR representatives stated that the system for the 500 is being "tweaked" and official word of a new format for Daytona would be forthcoming but that the top 35 drivers would indeed be assured a spot in the 43 car line-up.