January Testing Wraps Up At Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder wrapped up on Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway as the fifth and final day of Busch Series testing in preparation for the Feb. 17 Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener concluded. 2002 Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton, driver of the No. 27B Ford for Brewco Motorsports, was the fastest in the morning session with a speed of 183.782 mph. In the afternoon session, J.J. Yeley's Chevrolet was fastest, posting a speed of 187.130. When Busch Series teams return for the Orbitz 300, the premier event of the season, all eyes will mostly likely be on Kevin Harvick Inc. For the Orbitz 300, the two-car team will have Tony Stewart in the No. 33 Old Spice Chevrolet and Bobby Labonte in the No. 77 Dollar General Chevrolet. Stewart has won the past two Orbitz 300s and the No. 77 Chevrolet finished second in last year's event. Kertus Davis, who will compete in 13 events in the No. 77 Chevrolet beginning at California Speedway, was assisting the No. 77 team during testing on Tuesday. After competing with his family-owned team the past two seasons, Davis has quickly realized that Kevin Harvick Inc. "This is the best driving, handling race car I've ever driven around Daytona," Davis said. "They've got some fine equipment, some great people to work with. I can see why they've won the past two Daytona inaugural races." Flu slows Wood: Jon Wood, driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion, missed the first day of his Busch Series test at DIS on Sunday with flu-like symptoms. But he was back at the track on Monday where he posted the fastest speed in the rain-shortened afternoon drafting session. "We do have a really good car this year; it's amazing," said Wood, who finished fourth in the 2006 Orbitz 300. "In years past, we really haven't been able to qualify that well. We race very well, but like I said, we didn't quite have the qualifying package. I'm looking forward to coming back and qualifying, and, obviously, racing as well. Daytona has been, for the most part, good to me." When asked to handicap the 2007 Busch Series championship, Wood says that Carl Edwards is the man to beat. "He's the guy to beat in gymnastics," Wood quipped. "He's the guy to beat in racing, flying airplanes, whatever. He's the best, and you've got to respect a guy that has that type of determination and dedication for what he likes to do." Next up is the Rolex 24: Beginning Thursday, Daytona International Speedway will welcome the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve for the 45th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend. Qualifying for the Rolex 24 is slated for Thursday at 3:45 p.m. with the Fresh from Florida 200 KONI Challenge Series race scheduled for Friday at 2:15 p.m. The clock on the Rolex 24 will start on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Rolex 24 will feature a star-studded lineup of champion drivers including: