Nadeau fastest in second day of Winston testing

CONCORD, N.C. -- Jerry Nadeau, driving the No. 01 U.S. Army Pontiac, marched to the top of the unofficial speed chart Wednesday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway as NASCAR Winston Cup teams concluded preparations for The Winston on May 17 and the May 25 Coca-Cola 600.

	Jerry Nadeau

Nadeau, winner of The Winston Open in 2000, and his team worked methodically throughout the day and circled the 1.5-mile superspeedway in 29.710 seconds, 181.757 mph, late in the session to lead the speed parade.

Jimmie Johnson, the pole sitter for last year's Coca-Cola 600, was second fastest on the unofficial watches at 181.087 mph in the Lowe's Chevrolet.

Mike Skinner, fastest in Tuesday night's runs, was third quickest at 180.481 mph in the No. 4 Kodak Pontiac with defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Mark Martin fourth at 180.192 mph in the Viagra Ford. Dale Earnhardt Jr. completed the top five at 180.180 mph.

The starter never unfurled the caution flag as the nine-hour testing session was run without an on-track incident. There was one minor accident in the garage area when a speedway security vehicle pulled in front Jeff Green's No. 30 Chevrolet, causing damage to both vehicles.

Testing for Lowe's Motor Speedway's month of May activities continues Monday night when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers and teams take to the track in preparation for the inaugural Hardee's 200 on Friday, May 16. The session runs from 3 to 10 p.m. and the main grandstand will be open to the public with no admission charge.

The unofficial speeds: 1. Jerry Nadeau, 181.757; 2. Jimmie Johnson, 181.087; 3. Mike Skinner, 180.481; 4. Mark Martin, 180.192; 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 180.180; 6. John Andretti, 179.372; 7. Todd Bodine, 178.324; 8. Jeff Green, 177.579; 9. Dale Jarrett, 175.484; 10. Brett Bodine, 174.403; 11. Jeremy Mayfield, 173.997; 12. Kirk Shelmerdine, 173.533; 13. Tony Raines, 173.355.