Allmendinger keen to start testing

The American attended last week's test while teammate Brian Vickers took to the track, and this week the other half of the field will have their three-day test, which is scheduled to start on Monday.

Vickers was the slowest of the three new Toyotas running last week, but Allmendinger is hoping to be able to build on the initial progress that Team Red Bull made last week.

"I think Brian and the whole team did a great job and they really worked hard," said Allmendinger.

"The beginning was a bit of a struggle as you would expect, but they kept plugging away, and by Thursday morning they had made some gains and at least got in the ballpark."

Allmendinger was able to complete a handful of laps at last week's test with the blessing of Nextel Cup director John Darby, and the rookie is hoping to start his own test on the right foot.

"We want to see where we stand," he said. "Hopefully we can put Brian's set up directly on my car and continue their pace."