The second week of testing at the Daytona International Speedway was overshadowed by the tragic passing of Benny Parsons.
The second set of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers were testing the 2.5-mile superspeedway, and every employee from every team worked this week with a heavy heart. NASCAR Champion and NASCAR TV analyst Benny Parsons passed away Tuesday.
This week, many articles have been written as a tribute to the 1973 champion. He was a highly admired driver, as well as popular television personality. He will be greatly missed, especially in the NASCAR community. He has left a void that will never be filled.
Marred by the tragedy, the teams and drivers had to get down to business. David Gilliland set the standard early on as he posted a lap of 185.090 mph in his Robert Yates Racing Ford. Gilliland was tutored by his new veteran teammate Ricky Rudd, and it apparently paid off. The Yates cars look good to go for the Daytona 500.
Open wheel veteran, and NASCAR rookie Juan Pablo Montoya posted an impressive speed of 184.574, which was fastest among all driver participating in the Tuesday AM session at Daytona. Montoya also responded to criticism from former Formula One rival Michael Schumacher by calling him 'noboby in the U.S.'.
Montoya wasn't the only Dodge driver who shined on Tuesday, Penske Racing's Ryan Newman was the fastest among all drivers participating in the Tuesday PM session at Daytona. He led the pack with a speed of 186.540 mph.
On Wednesday, Newman's teammate Kurt Busch turned heads by posting a blistering speed of 191.188 in, get this, a Car Of Tomorrow. Kurt Busch as well as Newman tested the Car of Tomorrow this week at Daytona as the teams gathered data.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver Paul Menard posted the fastest lap in a Car of Today with a speed of 187.099 mph Wednesday evening.
