If anyone had any doubts about Toyota's ability to perform at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level, they should look at the testing speeds from the last few weeks. Once again, the Toyota teams have managed to top the speed charts during testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Denny Hamlin posted a speed of 178.265 miles per hour on the fourteenth lap of the session in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is vital to teams because the information gathered will account for one third of the races run this season. Rounding out the top 5 was Clint Bowyer in his Chevy, Matt Kenseth in his Ford, Jeff Gordan in his Chevy, and Kyle Busch also in a Joe Gibbs Toyota.
During the NASCAR teleconferance this afternoon, Denny Hamlin was asked about the morning testing session to which he responded, "[We're] Really pretty happy with things right now." Hamlin did indicate though, that it has been difficult to pass in the new car, though, they're "going to have some of the same challenges with this car that you did with the previous car." With the new car running its first full time schedule this year, it is clear that things have evened up between the manufacturers.
There was a great deal of discussion during the last two weeks of testing about how well Toyota would do in its second year at the Sprint Cup level. Toyota dominated the testing sessions at Daytona, but many critics argued that Daytona is so unique that their performance during testing would not illustrate the type of season they would have. Last year was a struggle for the majority of Toyota teams, most of which were new to the Sprint Cup. This year, however, with the powerhouse team of Joe Gibbs Racing switching to Toyota, all eyes are on the manufacturer.
Mostly absent from the top ten in speeds during testing has been the Ford teams. The showing of the Ford teams is similar to that during the testing sessions at Daytona, and it is clear that the teams want to change that. Outside of Matt Kenseth, the fastest Ford during the morning testing session at Las Vegas was Greg Biffle, who posted a speed that was good for twenty-second fastest. Carl Edwards understands the importance of testing at the track. Edwards stated, "This one is way more important. I'm not texting people in my car on pit road."
After testing on Monday and Tuesday, the drivers will have a day off, then will continue testing at California Speedway. California Speedway hosts two events during the Sprint Cup season on its two mile track. Like Las Vegas, the information tha teams aquire from testing there will be important and imperative the the success the teams have this season.
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