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PreseasonThunder2013ThumbNASCAR Preseason Thunder Rolls Into Daytona

Sixth-Generation NASCAR Sprint Cup Car To Make Debut At The World Center of Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 8, 2013) – NASCAR fans will get their first glimpse of the new sixth-generation NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars on the storied Daytona International Speedway for three days this week at Preseason Thunder, the unofficial on-track start of the 2013 NASCAR season.

This week’s sessions will be the only test for the new car at Daytona prior to Speedweeks, which begins with The Sprint Unlimited on Feb. 16 (SPEED, MRN Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio) and culminates with the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24 (FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio).

 “This test is an opportunity for the teams to prepare their cars for Speedweeks and the 55th running of the Daytona 500,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “This is the teams’ test and provides an excellent lead in to the upcoming 2013 season. There has been a lot of work put into the development of the Gen-6 car by the manufacturers, teams and NASCAR. It will be exciting to see the new cars on the track for Daytona Preseason Thunder.”

After several tests for the new car, including one restrictor plate test at Talladega Superspeedway, the rules package has been set heading into Preseason Thunder.

The rules package for Daytona includes:

  • Plate size                      29/32″ (same plate size as 2012)
  • Spoiler size                   4″ high x 53″ wide
  • Spoiler angle                 70 degrees
  • Front Grille size             1-3/4″ high x 23″ wide
  • Radiator Relief valve     32 psi

 

In addition to the year’s first on-track testing, the track will also host Preseason Thunder Fan Fest on Thursday night, January 10.

Fan Fest will include autograph sessions, driver fan forums, show cars and displays, music and a photo opportunity with the 2013 Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy.

Tickets for Daytona Preseason Thunder Fan Fest are $20 on Thursday and $10 for Friday and Saturday and are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Children 12 and under will receive free admission.

Among the drivers scheduled to appear on Thursday, Jan. 10 during the 5:30–7:30 p.m. session are Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Burton, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch and Mark Martin.

In the 7:30–9:30 p.m. session, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, 2012 Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola, Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Clint Bowyer, Marcos Ambrose, Joey Logano, David Ragan, David Gilliland, Paul Menard, Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte, Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne and Casey Mears are scheduled to appear.

Daytona International Speedway will also host special driver chat sessions on the speedway’s social media channels following the end of testing Thursday evening from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fans can submit questions for Twitter chats by including #DaytonaTesting and the driver’s official Twitter handle. NASCAR’s official Twitter feed @NASCAR will also provide updates throughout the three-day session. Fans can also participate in live driver chats hosted on Facebook by visitingwww.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.

SPEED will broadcast live coverage of testing on all three days from 1-5 p.m. ET. Additionally, SPEEDTV.com will stream testing live from 9 a.m.-noon ET each day.

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Day Two: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway
Second Day Features Adjustments To Rules Package

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2012) — As with any test, especially one as important as 2012 Preseason Thunder at Daytona, getting it right and being open to make adjustments is key.

After the late afternoon practice session on Thursday, NASCAR announced changes for today’s test session with an increase in the diameter of restrictor-plate openings from 1/32nd of an inch to 15/16ths inches, adding an estimated 26 horsepower to the engines.

In addition, they lowered the pressure relief valve settings from 30 pounds per square inch to 25 psi and narrowed the grille openings of the cars, thereby decreasing airflow to the engine. Both measures were designed to decrease the number of laps one car can push another without overheating.

Continue reading “Day Two: NASCAR Preseason Thunder Daytona Testing Features Adjustments To Rules Package”

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Combined Times Day 2
Rank Car No. Driver Manu. Time Speed Session
1 51 Kurt Busch Chv 43.677 206.058 D2PM
2 78 Regan Smith Chv 43.678 206.053 D2PM
3 18 Kyle Busch Tyt 43.729 205.813 D2PM
4 24 Jeff Gordon Chv 43.743 205.747 D2PM
5 5 Kasey Kahne Chv 43.743 205.747 D2PM
6 27 Paul Menard Chv 43.881 205.100 D2PM
7 29 Kevin Harvick Chv 43.882 205.095 D2PM
8 11 Denny Hamlin Tyt 43.903 204.997 D2PM
9 56 Martin Truex Jr. Tyt 43.941 204.820 D2PM
10 15 Clint Bowyer Tyt 43.944 204.806 D2PM

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SPEED Schedule for Daytona Preseason Thunder:
(All times Eastern and live unless otherwise indicated)

LINK: View Streaming Options (iPhone/iPad included)

Thursday, Jan. 12
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (SPEED encore of 3-5 p.m. session)

Friday, Jan. 13
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (SPEED encore of 3-5 p.m. session)

Saturday, Jan. 14
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (SPEED encore of 3-5 p.m. session)