Pre-season Testing Speeds Breed Optimism at JGR
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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Not long after NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series Pre-season Testing was completed at the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the mood around the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) shop in Huntersville, N.C., was one of optimism.
The reason?
Despite one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory due to switching manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota and readying NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow (CoT) for its first Daytona appearance, all three JGR Sprint Cup teams posted speeds in the top-10 of each of their respective January test sessions.
The January numbers will make JGR teammates Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and newcomer Kyle Busch among the favorites when the Sprint Cup Series returns to Daytona in February for the 50th Daytona 500.
Along with the manufacturer change and continued CoT development, JGR officials began to get up to speed with Busch, the talented 22-year old Las Vegas native who came to the team after three years at Hendrick Motorsports.
Busch, who has taken over the No. 18 M&M’s/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry, made an impressive Daytona testing debut for JGR, setting the fastest speed in drafting practice and posting the third quickest time in single-car runs during the Jan. 7-9 session.
“I’m not surprised at all,” said Busch. “We knew that the switch was going to be good and the reason we went to Toyota was for the pure fact that they want to go out there and compete to win races and championships. For what we’ve got going on with our program, we’re proud of the way Joe Gibbs Racing came out of the box strong. We can’t wait to get back to Daytona for Speedweeks.”
Busch’s teammates, Stewart and Hamlin, participated in the second week of testing Jan. 14-16. Stewart’s No. 20 Home Depot Toyota finished sixth-quick in single-car runs and 10th-quick in drafting practice. Hamlin’s No. 11 FedEx Toyota was 10th-quick in single-car runs and third-quick in the draft.
“I’m assuming it’s a good sign,” said Stewart, who will be looking for that elusive Daytona 500 win in his 10th start in the historic race. “You just don’t know what everybody else is doing, so you don’t know if everybody else is showing their hand. It makes you feel good when you make a big change like what our organization has gone through this winter and to come to the first test of the first race of the year and see so many Toyotas on top of the chart. It’s obviously a big plus for us.”
Hamlin, who is entering his third full season with JGR, was equally impressed with his team’s hard work to get his Camry ready for testing.
“We can’t tell too much from the inside of the car, but looking at the speed charts we’re pretty happy,” said Hamlin. “Looking at the speed charts during the second day, I think 11 of the top 13 cars were Toyotas. I’m very happy to be on that side of the fence.”
At JGR, the Sprint Cup Series teams weren’t the only ones getting used to the new Toyota Camry, as both Nationwide Series teams visited Daytona for their mid-January test session in preparation for the Feb. 16 season-opening Camping World 300.
In that race, Stewart will pilot the No. 20 Armor All Toyota, while Busch will drive the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota.
At Daytona, Busch piloted the No. 18 while test driver Mike McLaughlin drove the No. 20, with Busch notching the third-fastest overall speed and McLaughlin posting the sixth-quickest time.
“This Camry is new to us, but we’re very pleased with it,” said Dave Rogers, crew chief of the No. 20 that will be driven by Stewart, Hamlin, Busch and newcomer Joey Logano at various times throughout the season. “We had a big test plan, and our guys have been working really hard to execute it. We’re definitely learning a lot. If you look at the driver lineup we have for the season, I don’t have a whole lot to complain about. Most people won’t have an opportunity to work with the caliber of drivers I will this year.”
Jason Ratcliff, crew chief for the No. 18 Nationwide Series car, echoed Rogers’ thoughts on expectations at the start of the season with a new manufacturer.
“It’s a lot different than we’re used to, said Ratcliff. “The TRD (Toyota Racing Development) guys come around and are very helpful. They provide us with a lot of good information. To this point, it’s been all good, and I’m sure it will continue to get better.”
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season kicks off Feb. 8-17 with the traditional Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The 50th Daytona 500, the first point-paying race of the season, is scheduled for Feb. 17 and will be broadcast live on FOX. The season-opening Camping World 300 is scheduled for Feb. 16 and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
-Joe Gibbs Racing-
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