Dale Earnhardt Jr. began Busch testing by posting the top two AM speeds. Credit: Autostock

Earnhardt comes out of box hot at Busch tests

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won three consecutive Daytona Busch Series races from 2002-2004, made a statement Friday about his intentions for Speedweeks 2006.

Earnhardt opened the final session of Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway by placing both his No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Incorporated Chevrolets atop the morning speed chart.

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Earnhardt's best lap in his No. 8b Monte Carlo SS, in 48.947 seconds, an average speed of 183.872 mph, rated as the fastest of the day among the 46 teams that were present. His second-best lap of the morning, 182.452 mph in his No. 8a Chevy, was the third-fastest overall on the opening day of a three-day test.

Busch Series veteran Johnny Sauter had a successful first test with Haas CNC Racing as he placed his No. 00 Chevrolet atop the afternoon speed chart with a lap in 49.301 seconds, 182.552 mph.

Rounding out the top five individuals in the morning session were Chad Chaffin in the No. 05b Chevrolet (182.408 mph), Jason Leffler in the No. 32a Chevrolet (182.124), Kyle Busch in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5a Chevy (181.917) and Sauter in his No. 00m (181.660).

Rain began falling during the lunch break and single-car testing did not resume until almost 4 p.m. ET.

Rounding out the top five speeds in the one-hour afternoon single-car runs were Justin Ashburn in the No. 05b he shared with Chaffin (182.264 mph), Earnhardt's No. 8a (181.851), Aric Almirola in the No. 19 Gibbs Chevrolet (181.598) and Busch's No. 5a (181.360). An hour of drafting practice ended the day and Aaron Fike was best in that session with a lap in 48.060 seconds, 187.266 mph in his No. 43 Dodge.

Rounding out the top- five speeds in the drafting session were Mike Wallace, who was standing in for Elliott Sadler in the No. 90 Ford (186.970 mph), Jon Wood in the No. 47b Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford (186.765), Busch in a No. 5b Chevrolet (186.471) and Larry Foyt, who was driving Evernham Motorsports' No. 9 Dodge for Kasey Kahne (186.455).

Other than the rain, no incidents marred the day.

The track expects to open for the penultimate day of Preseason Thunder at 9 a.m. ET Saturday. A section of the Oldfield Grandstand will be open with access through the lobby of Daytona USA.

Friday drafting session

Friday afternoon session

Friday morning session