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NASCAR WCUP: Nemechek turn 181 mph lap as GM Testing ends at Indy

13 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Chevrolet drivers lap faster than Gordons NASCAR track record

INDIANAPOLIS,- In the second and final day of pre-Brickyard 400 testing for Chevrolet and Pontiac drivers, Joe Nemechek surpassed the track record by almost 2 mph as his Oakwood Homes Chevrolet whipped around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 181.206 mph.

Jeff Gordon set the official track record of 179.612 when he won the pole for last years Brickyard 400. Three other drivers, 1995 Brickyard 400 winner Dale Earnhardt, his Richard Childress Racing teammate, Mike Skinner, and Ken Schrader all posted speeds faster than the track record Wednesday. Nemecheks time on the fast lap was 49.667 seconds.

We had good weather this morning, but I still wasnt sure if anyone was going to get in the 49s (seconds), said Nemechek, who started second in the 1997 Brickyard 400. I was a little surprised.

The top-four speeds of the overall two-day test were posted Wednesday morning, when cloudy skies and cool temperatures were prevalent. Skies were sunny and the air muggy in the afternoon.

Earnhardt was the only other driver to circle the track in less than 50 seconds when he ran the second-fastest lap of the day at 49.929, 180.253 in his backup car.

Skinner was third at 179.698 in his backup car; Schrader was fourth at 179.634.

Tony Stewart, a native of Rushville, Ind., was 18th fastest overall in the two-day test at 176.727 in his backup car. Stewart was the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year and 1996-97 Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion.

Bobby Labonte, the Winston Cup points leader, was 13th fastest overall at 178.451. Gordon, a two-time Brickyard 400 winner from Pittsboro, Ind., was 14th fastest overall in the two-day test at 178.333 mph.

Defending Brickyard 400 and Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett will test the Quality Care Ford next week along with other Ford drivers as pre-Brickyard 400 testing continues July 17-18. 1997 Brickyard 400 winner Ricky Rudd will also test.

The seventh Brickyard 400 will take place at 12:15 p.m. (EST) Aug. 5.

TOP 25 DRIVERS FROM GENERAL MOTORS TESTING (July 12, 2000)

(Only drivers fastest speed of day listed)

Pos. Name Time Speed

1. Joe Nemechek 49.667 sec. 181.206 mph
2. Dale Earnhardt* 49.929 180.253
3. Mike Skinner* 50.084 179.698
4. Ken Schrader 50.101 179.634
5. Steve Park* 50.297 178.934
6. Mike Bliss 50.299 178.928
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 50.321 178.849
8. Kenny Wallace 50.353 178.738
9. Bobby Labonte* 50.434 178.451
10. Jeff Gordon 50.467 178.333
11. John Andretti 50.559 178.008
12. Geoffrey Bodine* 50.579 177.937
13. Jerry Nadeau* 50.594 177.886
14. Rick Mast* 50.818 177.101
15. Ward Burton* 50.834 177.046
16. Rich Bickle* 51.103 176.113
17. Sterling Marlin* 51.121 176.051
18. Dave Marcis 51.125 176.036
19. Tony Stewart* 51.183 175.839
20. Kyle Petty 51.238 175.648
21. Dave Blaney* 51.256 175.588
22. Bobby Hamilton* 51.393 175.120
23. Ricky Craven* 51.454 174.912
24. Michael Waltrip 51.485 174.808
25. Terry Labonte 51.780 173.811
* -- Backup car

TOP 10 OVERALL DRIVERS FROM GENERAL MOTORS TESTING (July 11-12,2000)
Pos. (Day) Name Time Speed
1. (Wed.) Joe Nemechek 49.667 181.206
2. (Wed.) Dale Earnhardt* 49.929 180.253
3. (Wed.) Mike Skinner* 50.084 179.698
4. (Wed.) Ken Schrader 50.101 179.634
5. (Tues.) Johnny Benson* 50.144 179.481
6. (Wed.) Steve Park* 50.297 178.934
7. (Wed.) Mike Bliss 50.299 178.928
8. (Tues.) Geoffrey Bodine* 50.303 178.913
9. (Wed.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. 50.321 178.849
10. (Wed.) Kenny Wallace 50.353 178.738
* -- Backup car

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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