Speeds soar at Vegas test

The new track configuration has seen the times tumble as grip levels went up, allowing some of the fastest runners to exceed the best lap speed averages set a few days ago in testing at the restrictor-plate Daytona International Speedway.

Elliot Sadler topped the final session of the week, setting a blistering pace on his Evernham Motorsports Dodge with a lap of 188.772 mph.

Paul Menard, who was quickest in Tuesday's morning session, emerged second fastest of the week at 188.370 mph in his Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet.

Scott Riggs was third quickest with a lap of 187.318 mph, after his teammate Kasey Kahne had dominated Monday's session.

With Evernham drivers setting the best speeds in three of the four sessions over the two days, the team show they are in good shape for the 1.5-mile ovals.

Among the Toyota drivers, veteran Michael Waltrip was quickest at 186.162 mph. And, despite some  drivers expressing concern over the increased speeds at Las Vegas, Waltrip doesn't see any negatives in it.

"It's really fast, obviously, but I don't know what you think we're going to do about that," he said.

"I don't know why people complain a bit. We're race car drivers for gosh sake, so the cars just go fast. It's not the track's fault.

"The cars would be easiest to slow down than build a track that isn't fun for the fans to watch. That's my take."

The Nextel Cup will race at Las Vegas on March 11, while the season opener at Daytona will be the Budweiser Shootout on February 10.

The Daytona 500, the first points-rewarding event of the year, will take place a week later.