Preseason Thunder Recap

After rain ruined practice Thursday, teams were working hard today to go gather data and speed as they gear up for the Daytona 500.

The No.3 was back on track at Daytona for the first time in NASCAR’s highest series since the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt back in 2001 and in good fashion: it was P1 on the charts. Austin Dillon topped the speed charts today with a top speed of 195.109mph. Dillon is running for Rookie of the Year in 2014 and will make his second Daytona 500 start. He finished 31st last season after an accident with just a handful of laps to go.

The 2013 Daytona 500 pole winner was near the top of the charts once again. Danica Patrick will be making her third career Daytona 500 start and after an impressive run in the Great American Race last season, she is on the list of possible winners in 2014. Patrick finished the day 10th on the charts with a top speed of 193.063.

Hall of Fame driver Rusty Wallace jumped back in the Blue Deuce at Daytona after an invitation from Brad Keselowski. Wallace went out for multiple runs throughout the day and by the smile of his face, he was having the time of his life. Keselowski, Wallace and the No.2 Penske Ford ended the day P20 on the chart.

Richard Childress Racing had the fastest cars at Daytona’s Preseason Thunder. Brian Scott was piloting the No.33 for the organization and ended P2 at the end of the night. Matt Crafton, filling in for a missing Paul Menard, followed up with a P3 finish putting three of the four RCR cars at the top of the board.

Although Preseason Thunder is just a test session, it can give us a good indication as to who just might be in line for the pole in February.

Original Post: Click Here