Daytona day 1: Brack gets first run

The Swede was 19th fastest of the 30 even-numbered cars present in a Chip Ganassi-run Dodge. He will contest February's 500 if sponsorship can be found in time.

Jerry Nadeau's Chevrolet set the best time at 182.905mph, a shade quicker Jimmie Johnson's opening-day top speed. Last year's Daytona 500 winner, Michael Waltrip, was second fastest at 182.319mph.

Ray Evernham's three Dodges, driven by Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood, were next up, clustered around 182mph. Johnny Benson (Pontiac) was sixth fastest, the lone intruder among the Chevys and Dodges in the top 10.

As in the opening session, Fords brought up the rear. Andy Hillenburg, subbing for recuperating Ricky Rudd in Robert Yates' car, was best of the Fords at 180.875mph.

Early in the test, Bill Elliott set a lap of 187.052 mph, which caught everybody's eye. But the lap was removed from the speed chart when it was revealed that the team was accidentally using a 15/16th restrictor plate instead of the mandated 7/8th.


1, Jerry Nadeau, Chevrolet, 182.905mph
2, Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 182.319mph
3, Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 182.046mph
4, Bill Elliott, Dodge, 181.943mph
5, Casey Atwood, Dodge, 181.903mph
6, Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, 181.903mph
7, Johnny Benson, Pontiac, 181.668mph
8, Kerry Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 181.609mph
9, Jeff Green, Chevrolet, 181.331mph
10, Jimmy Spencer, Dodge, 181.273mph