Kyle Busch Fastest as NASCAR Busch Series Testing Begins at Daytona

In the afternoon drafting session, Denny Hamlin was fastest in the No. 20B Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet with a speed of 186.293 mph.

Busch Series teams began testing on Friday at DIR. Photo: www.daytona500.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The search for speed in preparation for the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener on Saturday, Feb. 17th began on Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

The first wave of Busch Series teams kicked off a three-day test on Friday morning while a second wave will begin a three-day test session on Sunday.

For Shane Huffman, he didn't want the 2006 Busch Series season end and he is certainly ready for the 2007 season to kick off with the Orbitz 300.

Huffman took over the reigns of the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet fielded by Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports late in the 2006 season.

As a late-season replacement, Huffman competed in nine races behind the wheel of the No. 88 car. In the final four races, Huffman had three top-five qualifying efforts and two top-10 finishes.

"I hate the season ended when it did really," said Huffman. “I wish we could’ve kept rolling. Once we get a test or two under our belt and get things rolling back in the right direction, we will hopefully pick up right where we left off.”

Huffman was anxious to take the track on Friday morning at Daytona International Speedway. His only prior start at DIS came in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race in 2000 where he started 21st and finished 20th.

Last weekend, Huffman tested the No. 40 Chevrolet for Key Motorsports.

“It’s cool,” Huffman said. “This is an awesome place. It’s a lot of fun to be here. I was walking a while ago and I had to pinch myself saying, 'Am I really here?’

“I got cold chills coming through the tunnels,” Huffman continued. “It’s been a dream of mine to race here and compete here. I’m finally going to get to fulfill it.”

Fast from the start:

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Busch kicked off Friday’s morning session with both of his cars atop the speed charts.

In qualifying trim, Busch had the No. 5B Chevrolet fastest with a lap of 183.057 mph and the No. 5A Chevrolet second fastest with a speed of 182.960.

In the afternoon drafting session, Denny Hamlin was fastest in the No. 20B Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet with a speed of 186.293 mph.

Ambrose Loving Daytona So Far:

Aussie Marcos Ambrose, driver of the No. 59 Wood Brothers Racing/JTG Ford, took his first laps around Daytona International Speedway on Friday.

Said Ambrose: “It’s a lot bumpier than I thought, a lot narrower than what I thought. It’s just a thrill to be here. It feels like today that I’ve made it to NASCAR. I’ve got a great team and sponsor. We’re here running at Daytona in a Busch car. It’s just a dream come true.”

Testing, testing and testing:

Heralded NEXTEL Cup Series rookie Juan Pablo Montoya is making his third and final testing appearance at DIS in January.

He first tested his Rolex 24 ride with the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley, then his No. 42 Dodge in the NEXTEL Cup Series and now finally his No. 42 Busch Series ride that he will race in the Orbitz 300.

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