ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
Speeds were two to three miles per hour slower than a year ago as Chevrolet Monte Carlo's from the General Motors stable opened January testing Wednesday for the Feb.18 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Most of GM's top NASCAR drivers, including Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon, took laps on the 2.5-mile high-banked track, but the top speed was posted by journeyman Jeff Purvis, who reached 187.075 mph.
Gordon was second fastest, at 186.939 mph, followed by Terry Labonte (186.850 mph), Dale Earnhardt (186.204), Dave Marcis (185.805) and two-time defending 500 champion Sterling Marlin (185.647). Darrell Waltrip, Steve Grissom, Robert Pressley, Joe Nemechek and Jack Sprague also practiced.
The cars were using the new, lower-compression 14:1 engines mandated by NASCAR for the big tracks, which undoubtedly led to the slower speeds. One year ago, when Fords opened January testing at Daytona, Dale Jarrett reached 189.633 mph on the first day.
As usual, all speeds are based on random, hand-timed laps.
The three-day test for GM cars concludes Friday. The Ford Winston Cup cars arrive Tuesday for three days of testing, followed by the Busch Grand National cars (all makes) Jan.12-14. The GM Winston Cup cars return Jan.15-17 and the Fords are back Jan.22-24.
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB