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closeNASCAR sets first track test for eventual Nationwide Series cars
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Sep. 05, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. - NASCAR's next generation Nationwide Series race car will get its first on-track test next week at Richmond International Raceway with more than a dozen drivers scheduled to participate.
Each of the manufacturers is permitted to bring two cars to the test, scheduled Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting. The rain date is Wednesday.
Drivers currently scheduled to take part include Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Johnny Sauter, Bryan Clauson, David Stremme, Carl Edwards, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, David Reutimann and Josh Wise. Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch are also possible participants.
"The goal of this test is for the manufacturers and participating teams to start laying a foundation for the transfer phase from the current car to the new car in the Nationwide Series," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition.
The cars will be on the track in their current stages of development and the test data will be shared among the manufacturers, teams and NASCAR.
The new Nationwide car is also scheduled to have an on-track test at Lowe's Motor Speedway Oct. 13-14. A transition to the new car is not expected before the 2010 season.