Even though the NASCAR Nationwide Series open test session at Daytona International Speedway ended an hour and a half earlier than expected, teams were able to take advantage of the gorgeous weather to work out their notebook to better prepare for next month’s DRIVE4COPD 300 on February 22.
Both the morning and afternoon sessions ended with two drivers in new rides atop of the charts. Dylan Kwasniewski and Chad Boat both impressed immensely on Sunday to earn the fastest times driving for Turner Scott Motorsports and Billy Boat Motorsports respectively.
Oddly enough though, both drivers will still have to wait approval from NASCAR in order to compete in the season-opener event next month.
Kwasniewski, the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion was also quickest Saturday morning, but thanks to some drafting help the Las Vegas, Nevada native was the only vehicle to break the 190 miles per hour barrier during the two-day test. Before Saturday, the 18-year old had never drove on the 2.5-mile asphalt.
Boat on the other hand participated in the 2013 ARCA Racing Series opener driving for Ken Schrader and finished 10th after starting 12th. His team, owned and operated by his father, former IndyCar driver Billy Boat brought a brand new Chevrolet to the test with horsepower from Jeff Collins. And while Daytona was not initially on the radar for the BBM organization, Billy Boat said Sunday that his team is considering adding the race to their limited schedule. Of course, Boat, a former K&N Pro Series driver would need to be approved.
Behind Kwasniewski in the morning session were Chase Elliott, James Buescher, Bill Elliott, Brendan Gaughan, Kyle Larson, birthday boy Brian Scott, Regan Smith, Ty Dillon and Daytona ARCA master Bobby Gerhart.
Boat led a group that was followed by Larson, Ryan Reed, Dakoda Armstrong, Chris Buescher, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Blaney, David Ragan, Gerhart and Buescher. Other notables from the afternoon session include: Matt Carter (14th), Harrison Rhodes (15th) and Joey Gase (16th).
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will enter the grounds overnight to partake in their two-day test Monday and Tuesday.
Sunday Notebook:
Ryan Ellis Vowing To Compete In Nationwide Season Opener: Ryan Ellis is searching out his options to compete in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series opener. Ellis, who is ½ Japanese and ½ American ran a limited schedule in 2013 driving for SR2 Motorsports, but with that team’s future uncertain, the road racer is keeping his options open. “I’m talking,” he said. “I hope I’m able to have something soon. I want to race Daytona in the worst way.”
On Sunday, Ellis was also able to meet NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Kyle Larson, whom he shares a similar nationality. The two posed for a photo and discussed their morning at Daytona. Ellis also told Larson about a group of fans who had mistakenly identified for the fellow racer. Larson smiled and chuckled.
RAB Racing Hoping For Twice As Nice In 2014: RAB Racing co car-owner Robby Benton told CATCHFENCE.com Sunday that he is trying to put a second Nationwide car together for 2014, but it’s far from done. RAB Racing hired Matt Lucas, the former Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Nationwide crew chief over the off-season and has since been strategically trying to put funding in place for that second-car team. It’s 50 / 50 whether or not the No. 29 Toyota Camry would be on-track for the DRIVE4COPD 300.
Tanner Berryhill; Vision Racing Hopeful For Full Schedule: Tanner Berryhill has sparked some attention in the NASCAR Nationwide Series over the past two seasons with his combined 11 starts. This season however, his family-owned Vision Racing team has purchased some equipment from Penske Racing and hopes to run the full schedule. Berryhill is scheduled to drive the No. 17 entry, while close friend Matt DiBenedetto is scheduled to run some races as well in their No. 37 ride. National Cash Lenders, owned by Berryhill’s father Adrian is expected to back the ride until other funding materializes.
From Testing To Racing: At least three drivers left Daytona International Speedway to participate in this week’s upcoming Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dakoda Armstrong, Chad Boat and Kyle Larson immediately left DIS to venture west to get settled for a week’s worth of racing. Kevin Swindell, a Nationwide driver for Biagi-DeBeste Racing is the defending champion and has won the event the past four years in a row.
2014 NNS Preseason Thunder Day 2 A.M. Test Session Speeds
Pos Car# Drivers Name Make Laps Best Time Best Speed 1. 31 Dylan Kwasniewski Chv 61 47.363 190.022 2. 9 Chase Elliott Chv 66 47.381 189.950 3. 99 James Buescher Tyt 39 47.388 189.921 4. 5 Bill Elliott Chv 52 47.397 189.885 5. 62 Brendan Gaughan Chv 36 47.398 189.881 6. 32 Kyle Larson Chv 59 47.420 189.793 7. 2 Brian Scott Chv 44 47.433 189.741 8. 7 Regan Smith Chv 56 47.444 189.697 9. 3 Ty Dillon Chv 55 47.601 189.072 10. 85 Bobby Gerhart Chv 27 48.581 185.258 11. 84 Chad Boat Chv 44 48.600 185.185 12. 43 Dakoda Armstrong Frd 25 49.161 183.072 13. 17 Tanner Berryhill Tyt 13 49.272 182.660 14. 23 Ryan Ellis Frd 22 49.619 181.382 15. 73 Derrike Cope Chv 28 49.926 180.267 16. 11 Elliott Sadler Tyt 22 50.155 179.444 17. 98 David Ragan Frd 32 50.178 179.361 18. 6 Trevor Bayne Frd 22 50.278 179.005 19. 16 Ryan Reed Frd 21 50.376 178.657 20. 60 Chris Buescher Frd 24 50.435 178.448 21. 22 Ryan Blaney Frd 27 50.460 178.359 22. 28 Matt Carter Dge 11 51.442 174.954 23. 52 Joey Gase Tyt 6 51.603 174.408 24. 13 Harrison Rhodes Dge 12 51.684 174.135
2014 NNS Preseason Thunder Day 2 P.M. Test Session Speeds
Pos Car # Drivers Name Make Laps Best Time Best Speed 1. 84 Chad Boat Chv 22 47.929 187.778 2. 32 Kyle Larson Chv 28 47.948 187.703 3. 16 Ryan Reed Frd 40 48.001 187.496 4. 43 Dakoda Armstrong Frd 41 48.007 187.473 5. 60 Chris Buescher Frd 42 48.010 187.461 6. 6 Trevor Bayne Frd 33 48.013 187.449 7. 22 Ryan Blaney Frd 33 48.045 187.324 8. 98 David Ragan Frd 9 48.085 187.169 9. 85 Bobby Gerhart Chv 35 48.163 186.865 10. 99 James Buescher Tyt 36 48.166 186.854 11. 11 Elliott Sadler Tyt 7 48.202 186.714 12. 3 Ty Dillon Chv 29 48.390 185.989 13. 62 Brendan Gaughan Chv 18 48.578 185.269 14. 28 Matt Carter Dge 56 49.582 181.517 15. 13 Harrison Rhodes Dge 41 49.587 181.499 16. 52 Joey Gase Tyt 15 50.024 179.914 17. 73 Derrike Cope Chv 9 50.024 179.914 18. 2 Brian Scott Chv 28 50.490 178.253
Source: Timing and Scoring provided by NASCARMedia/NASCAR Statistics
