The Las Vegas test will be the last tuneup before the season begins. Credit: Autostock

Las Vegas has 41 drivers scheduled to test

Teams can test during two of the three scheduled days

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway has received 41 entries for NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas.

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This test session, which many NASCAR drivers are calling the most important of the season, will take place Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1. Each team will be allowed to test for two of the three days.

"The test at Las Vegas really shows us how the [cars] will perform at 1.5-mile tracks," said Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Dodge. "The 1.5-mile tracks on the circuit are very similar, so the LVMS testing session gives us a good read on how we can expect to perform at those tracks throughout the season."

In addition to preparing for the March 12 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, there will be many different agendas.

Several drivers, including Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip, Scott Riggs and Bobby Labonte, will be getting used to working with their new teams. All seven of the rookie-of-the-year candidates, including Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer and Reed Sorenson, will take part in the test. Ford drivers will be getting the feel of the new Ford Fusion. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne will be looking to find some speed on an LVMS oval that was not very friendly to them last year.

For reigning Nextel Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and third-year driver Brian Vickers, it will be their first time in a stock car this year. Vickers missed Daytona testing after undergoing surgery on a hernia, while Stewart skipped Daytona to participate in the Chili Bowl Sprint Car event in Oklahoma.

The following drivers are scheduled to test Jan. 30-31: Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Robby Gordon, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Travis Kvapil, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Elliott Sadler, Hermie Sadler, Ken Schrader, Brent Sherman, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, Martin Truex Jr., Michael Waltrip and Scott Wimmer.

The following drivers are scheduled to test Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Greg Biffle, Dave Blaney, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jeremy Mayfield, Casey Mears, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Kyle Petty, Scott Riggs and Brian Vickers.

Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley will test Jan. 30 and Feb. 1.