Truex Leads Chevrolet Back to Top of Charts

Monday, March 3, 2008 DEI backs up morning effort with evening standard Martin Truex Jr. brought Dale Earnhardt, Inc. back to the top of the leaderboard at PIR on Monday night, steering his No. 1 Chevrolet around the 1-mile oval in 27.623 seconds for a lap of 130.326 mph. Truex was third-quickest in the afternoon session, and his quick lap backed up a field-topping effort by teammate Paul Menard and the No. 15 Chevrolet in the morning. The 27.442-second morning lap by Menard ended up being the best single-circuit time of the day. Veteran and DEI driver Mark Martin was fifth in the third session, turning a lap in 27.639 seconds. The "Cactus Trials" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test at PIR continues tomorrow with two sessions, both of which are closed to the public. Here are the top five speeds from the evening session:

1A
Martin Truex Jr.
Chevrolet
27.623 seconds
130.326 mph

29A
Kevin Harvick
Chevrolet
27.628 seconds
130.303 mph

11A
Denny Hamlin
Toyota
27.636 seconds
130.265 mph

07A
Clint Bowyer
Chevrolet
27.639 seconds
130.251 mph

8A
Mark Martin
Chevrolet
27.639 seconds
130.251 mph

April 2005 PIR race winner Kurt Busch was sixth in the late session, followed by Carl Edwards, winner of the last two races on the Sprint Cup tour. Defending series champion Jimmie Johnson was eighth, and Kyle Busch ran ninth in the No. 18 Toyota. Jamie McMurray rounded out the top 10. Click here for the top afternoon session speeds. Click here for the top morning session speeds.

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The lights may be on at PIR, but it's only a test tonight. But worry not, NASCAR fans, as the April 12 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ is just 40 days away! See all of your favorites fight for the crown in the first night race of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season! Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223), or online at www.racetickets.com and www.phoenixraceway.com.