Nationwide Series heads to Las Vegas for test sessions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR's version of "follow the leader" featuring Preseason Thunder testing continues at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 30-31.

Drivers and teams from the Nationwide Series will descend on the track in the Nevada desert one day after the Sprint Cup Series completes its two-day test session there.

As NASCAR's premier series moves to California Speedway for its final round of Preseason Thunder, Wednesday's travel day affords double-duty drivers the opportunity to test their Nationwide Series cars at Las Vegas.

• Complete Coverage
• NASCAR Acceleration
• SPEED Coverage
• Daytona Countdown
• Get your tickets
• Book your travel

More than 40 drivers representing more than 30 Nationwide Series teams are expected to participate. Double-duty drivers who continue to California will share their rides with teammates or substitute drivers so the preparation process can keep going for the seven 1.5-mile tracks on the 2008 series schedule.

"The agenda for the teams will be different than at Daytona," said Nationwide Series director Joe Balash. "It's the first time they'll be out on the racetrack with the tapered spacer in the engine versus the restrictor plate that we used at Daytona during testing over the last week.

"The teams also worked hard in the offseason to get as much downforce in these cars and make them turn better."

The Las Vegas test will feature seven former series driver and owner champions and some drivers who did not take part in the Preseason Thunder sessions at Daytona, including regulars Mike Bliss and Bobby Hamilton Jr.

Clint Bowyer, one of the favorites to challenge for the title that will be defended by Carl Edwards, is scheduled to make his series testing debut as is Jeff Burton who, along with Scott Wimmer, claimed the 2007 series owner championship for Richard Childress Racing.

Bobby Labonte, the 1991 series champion, will share seat time at the test with Stephen Leicht, who signed with RCR last week. Leicht finished seventh in the final standings last year.

Others who will make their 2008 Nationwide Series Preseason Thunder debuts include Landon Cassill and Colin Braun.