Sprint Cup Testing Concludes at Charlotte

Kasey Kahne topped both test sessions Wednesday

Rhonda McCole/AR1

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wrapped up two days of testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Wednesday as teams took to the 1-5-mile oval for their first opportunity to shake down the new 2013 Sprint Cup cars.

16 teams took to the track during the two-day test leading up to the start of the 2013 Sprint Cup season in February. Although it was the first time many of the drivers had been behind the wheel of the new cars, the improved models got rave reviews from drivers and crew chiefs alike.

"This car is the perfect example of technology helping our sport," said Steve Letarte, crew chief of the No. 88 Chevrolet. "I think we now have three makes out here that my little boy at nine-years old can tell the difference between. I think that is the goal – that anybody can walk through the parking lot and see a Chevy, a Ford and a Toyota and know that they are different. That's really what it comes down to – if you're into racing you want to watch cool cars go around the track. I think the simple fact is in 2013 we have cooler cars."

The cars proved fast around the track a well, with Kasey Kahne posting a top speed of 193.771 mph to lead the morning session on day two, eclipsing the current track record of 193.708 set last October by Greg Biffle. Kahne also led the brief afternoon session with a lap of 193.112 mph before rain cut the session short.

"It felt fast and I knew where my throttle was, so I knew it was as fast as I have ever been around this track," said Kahne. "I just think this car goes around the corner quicker."

Denny Hamlin was the only casualty during the two-day test, hitting the wall during the morning session causing heavy damage to his no. 11 Toyota Camry. Hamlin was not injured.

Testing for the Sprint Cup teams will resume in January with a three-day test at Daytona International Speedway before returning to Charlotte for another two-day test the following week.

1st Session Results

1. 5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 27.868 193.771
2. 20 Matt Kenseth Toyota 27.972 193.050
3. 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 28.058 192.458
4. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Chevrolet 28.122 192.020
5. 24 Regan Smith Chevrolet 28.208 191.435
6. 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 28.229 191.293
7. 2 Brad Keselowski Ford 28.277 190.968
8. 22 Joey Logano Frd 58 28.297 190.833
9. 27 Austin Dillon Chevrolet 28.319 190.685
10. 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 28.337 190.564
11. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 28.343 190.523
12. 47 Bobby Labonte Toyota 28.440 189.873
13. 13 Casey Mears Ford 28.442 189.860
14. 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 28.587 188.897
15. 9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 28.633 188.594

2nd Session Results

1. 5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 27.963 193.112
2. 20 Matt Kenseth Toyota 28.126 191.993
3. 24 Regan Smith Chevrolet 28.197 191.510
4. 27 Austin Dillon Chevrolet 28.207 191.442
5. 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 28.275 190.981
6. 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 28.318 190.691
7. 2 Brad Keselowski Ford 28.327 190.631
8. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Chevrolet 28.347 190.496
9. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 28.388 190.221
10. 47 Bobby Labonte Toyota 28.389 190.215
11. 22 Joey Logano Ford 28.454 189.780
12. 13 Casey Mears Ford 28.650 188.482
13. 9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 28.671 188.344
14. 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 28.842 187.227