Daytona 500 Testing- Day 1

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Jan 8, 2008

The first day of testing at Daytona has concluded and Jimmie Johnson posted the fastest speeds in both morning and afternoon sessions. Man, I am shocked that the 48 car is the fastest! That never happens! Sarcasm aside, it appears as if Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, and the 48 boys are ready for an encore.

He posted a speed of 184.782 mph (48.706) in the morning session, and a speed of 184.672 mph (48.735) in the afternoon session. Click here for a full rundown of the morning speeds and afternoon speeds.

Dale Earnhardt Jr was at the Daytona International Speedway throughout the first day of testing; however, he is not set to climb into his Hendrick Motorsports ride until next week's session. His three new teammate were all testing this week, which may have prompted him to attend this session, and kind of get acclimated to how they roll at Hendrick Motorsports.

"I didn't have anything to do today," Earnhardt jokingly said. "And I don't have any teammates in the test next week. It's Daytona. It's the Car of Tomorrow...I just wanted to come see some racing. Been sitting at home, chomping at the bit."

Both Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were impressed with Earnhardt Jr's enthusiasm. For him to come down, show the team how committed he is to being up front, winning races and championships says a lot to the team, his teammates, to the team members and I thing to the racing public that he's down here, ready to go, ready to get after it," said Johnson.

Jeff Gordon said, "I think the fact that he's here today means a lot. It shows where his focus is and how fired up he is about this season. I think they're going to have a great season."

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