NASCAR

Teams test at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 23, 2003) - An open practice was held on Monday, April 21st. Justin Hobgood appeared ready to go after yet another Bud Pole Position at the famed speedway. He was unofficially recorded as running a lap in the 35.80 second ...

Edited: Apr 24, 2003, 3:02 AM

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CHARLOTTE, NC (April 23, 2003) - An open practice was held on Monday, April 21st. Justin Hobgood appeared ready to go after yet another Bud Pole Position at the famed speedway. He was unofficially recorded as running a lap in the 35.80 second range. Most of the top drivers ran in the low 36 second range.

There were close to thirty teams on hand for the annual shake-down in preparation for the Saturday, May 17, 2003 race.

Defending race Champion Robert Huffman was pleased with his practice time. "We are not as fast as I would like to be, but we are happy," said Huffman.

Huffman is looking to win for the third time at Lowe's along with notching his 40th career victory in the series.

Danny Bagwell, the series' most recent winner (Oglethorpe Speedway Park) brought two cars to the test session. "We are doing the same thing we did at Daytona, switching between the Mercury and the Ford. We will run the car that handles the best," said Bagwell.

Since Daytona the focus was on preparing for the first dirt race at Oglethorpe. Everyone was talking about adjustment from asphalt to dirt. "Now that we have experience on dirt, maybe it will help us in case we need to use the grass on the front stretch," Bagwell chuckled.

Rookie Contender Jay Godley enjoyed his time on the track. "My crew Chief Richard Broome has a lot of experience at this place. He has been a tremendous help in teaching me what I need to know about running well at a place like this," Godley said.

Chuck Gafrarar, 2002 Goody's Dash Series Rookie of the Year, is looking for success at home. He resides just a few miles from the track and provides fabrication services for several race teams. Gafrarar was driving a Pontiac out of the Hobgood stable. Jake has made the switch to Toyota and they had a real good race car sitting in their garage. So Gafrarar seized the opportunity to strike a deal to run the car at Lowe's.

Mickey York, the 1992 Series' Champion, was also at the Speedway for testing. He ran very well at Daytona and hopes to capitalize on his veteran experience to gain yet another win in his illustrious career. York was on hand at Oglethorpe Speedway Park to wave the green flag. He joined the NASCAR officials in the booth during the race and was quick to add just how different a race looks from that perspective.

The Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring back in action on May 17th as a support race for the Annual NASCAR All-Star race, "The WINSTON."

-nascar-

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