GM tests 95-01-11

GENERAL MOTORS TESTING AT DAYTONA -- 1-11-95

Ken Schrader set the fastest time Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in the second day of General Motors NASCAR Winston Cup stock car testing, when he ran a lap of 190.355 mph in the Hendrick Motorsports Budweiser Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Robert Pressley was the only other driver of the 11 present to exceed 190 mph, as he ran 190.235 mph in Leo Jackson's Monte Carlo. The GM test ends today. A section of the Oldfield Grandstand will be open to the public, with access through the Visitors' Center.

NASCAR Goody's Dash Series sub-compact stock cars will have a two-day test on Saturday and Sunday.

Jeff Gordon, the defending winner of the Busch Clash special event that is held during Speedweeks at Daytona, tested a variety of configurations, with a best lap of better than 188 mph. After winning his first two Winston Cup races in '94, he likes his chances for the Feb. 19 Daytona 500.

"My choice for the winner? The #24 car, of course," said Gordon with a laugh. "I've finished fifth and fourth in the 500 (in two tries), so we should be up for a top-three finish this year. First would be nice."

Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports crew, led by crew chief Ray Evernham, is working harder than in previous seasons. The introduction of Chevrolet's new Monte Carlo is the reason.

"It seems like a good car," said Gordon. "We're working hard on it, trying a lot of different things. It may not be fast enough to win the pole, but it will be a good race car. It feels good and should be comfortable in a pack."

Gordon, who won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last season, is ready to get back to racing.

"We've still got some work to do, but I'm pretty happy," Gordon said.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The fastest laps# recorded in General Motors NASCAR Winston Cup stock car testing Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway, listing car #, driver/car, time and speed:

25 Ken Schrader/Chevrolet               47.28         190.355
33 Robert Pressley/Chevrolet            47.31         190.235
 5 Terry Labonte/Chevrolet              47.50         189.474
18 Bobby Labonte/Chevrolet              47.50         189.474
17 Darrell Waltrip/Chevrolet            47.52         189.394
31 Ward Burton/Chevrolet                47.75         188.482
24 Jeff Gordon/Chevrolet                47.80         188.285
41 Ricky Craven/Chevrolet               48.00         187.500
43 Bobby Hamilton/Pontiac               48.00         187.500
40 Greg Sacks/Pontiac                   48.09         187.149
93 Charlie Baker/Chevrolet                            N/T

# = Randomly hand-timed and from various sources.