NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Test At Pocono Raceway

Two-Day Session Helps Teams Prepare For Both ’08 Pocono Events, Plus Those At Similar Tracks
Media Interview Opportunities Available Each Day


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 23, 2008) – Sandwiched between Sunday’s 49th annual Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway on June 1, next week’s two-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test at Pocono Raceway will allow teams to gather more crucial data on NASCAR’s new car.

The car – NASCAR’s now-generation race car – is in its first fulltime season. Teams used it in 16 of 36 events in 2007 and the Pocono 500 on June 8 marks the new car’s debut at that track. And with its distinct 2.5-mile, triangular layout, data mined at Pocono also aids prep work for July’s event at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Pocono, with its unique three corner configuration, should provide the teams with a lot of new information as it relates to the new car,” said NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby. “It's yet another opportunity for the teams to work on their set-ups, collect new data and make some gains in improving performance.

“And, there are some small features of Pocono that teams can transform to getting ready for running at the Brickyard later this summer.”

Next week’s session is the series’ sixth NASCAR-sanctioned test of 2008.

“The Pocono test is very important," said Steve Letarte, crew chief for Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), the defending champion of the Pocono 500. "It's a very 'travel' sensitive track with three very unique corners.”

Tuesday’s session begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Wednesday’s session runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES INTERVIEW SCHEDULES

All interviews (tentative and subject to change) take place in the infield media center. Teleconference capability and transcripts will be available for Wednesday’s midday interview session. Audio from both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s sessions will be available at NASCAR’s media-only web site – www.nascarmedia.com.

Tuesday, May 27

Pre-Practice – Jimmie Johnson, 11:20 a.m.; Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch 11:45 a.m.

Post-Practice – Jeff Gordon, 7:10-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 28

Lunch – Greg Biffle, approximately noon; Martin Truex Jr., approximately 12:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPANT INFORMATION:
1-888-699-8040 (Domestic)
(719) 457-2729 (International)
Meeting ID or Reference: 4677423

TELECONFERENCE REPLAY:
1-888-203-1112 (Domestic)
(719)-457-0820 (International)
Replay passcode: 4677423

Fast Facts

What: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing

Where: Pocono Raceway

Track Layout: 2.5-mile triangular layout

Times: Tuesday, May 27 from 12:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.; Wednesday, May 28 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a lunch break from noon-1 p.m. All times ET

Who: 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams

Track Contact: Bob Pleban, (570) 646-2300 bpleban@@poconoraceway.com