The top speed was more than 3 seconds faster than in the April practice. Credit: Autostock

Higher practice speeds at 'Dega not a concern

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Robin Pemberton leaned back in a chair late Friday afternoon and propped his feet against a chain-link fence next to the Nextel Cup hauler at Talladega Superspeedway.

NASCAR's vice president for competition didn't seem at all concerned with the high speeds on the new surface at the 2.66-mile track.

That's because he wasn't.

Carl Edwards felt he was going slower ... and he was, reaching only the 197 mph range. Credit: Autostock

Despite speeds of close to 200 mph, Pemberton said NASCAR doesn't plan to alter the size of the restrictor plate as it did in 2000 when a change was made on that Saturday after speeds reached 198 mph the day before.

"We've still probably got a couple of a mile per hour cushion,'' Pemberton said. "You have to look at the total environment we're running in. The racetrack being as smooth as it is, it's got a lot of grip and drivers are comfortable.

"You walk up and down the garage area, the drivers don't even realize they're going faster.''

Carl Edwards, for instance, thought speeds were slower even though nine cars topped 198 mph in the first practice and two did in the second.

"There are no magic numbers,'' Pemberton said. "We know we're right there where we need to be running to make it competitive. ... We look at the wind tunnel [tests] and lift-off speed and what it takes the cars to get airborne.

"We're pleased with the way it is right now.''

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said there's no need to change a thing, saying the track is easier to get around than ever.

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"Ninety percent of the people inside the track could drive them,'' said Earnhardt, the five-time Talladega winner.

Earnhardt said the higher average speed is due to more grip that allows drivers to maintain more speed in the corners.

"We aren't going any faster than we were in the past,'' he said. "They didn't change the motor package, so they're going the same down the straightaway.

"We're [just] able to hold more speed in the center of the corner without sliding so much. I ain't got no big worry.''

Jeff Gordon topped the first practice with a speed of 198.689 mph, followed closely by Dale Jarrett at 198.635 mph. Earnhardt was 32nd-fastest at 196.049 mph, which still was half a mile faster than the top speed in the first practice of the May race when Joe Nemechek was clocked at 195.472 mph.

In fact, 36 of the 49 cars that will qualify for 43 spots on Saturday topped Nemechek's speed.

Robby Gordon led the second practice with a fast lap of 198.507 mph. Thirty-one drivers topped the 194.141 mph that Robby Gordon posted as the fastest speed during the second practice in late April.

The speed of 188.511 mph that Elliott Sadler won the pole with in May is sure to be eclipsed.

	Dale Jr. Credit: Autostock
	FAST AND CURIOUS After two practice sessions Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, maybe the new surface won't be as bad as once feared.  •   Complete story, click here

"I mean, 195 and 200, you never know the difference,'' said Brian Vickers, who was ninth-fastest in the first practice. "Can you notice 65 to 70 on the highway? The faster you go the less you notice it.''

Edwards agreed.

"We might be going faster, but it feels slower,'' said Edwards, who was 14th-fastest during the second practice. "I would have said it was slower because it's so smooth and easy to drive on.

"You're going to see a ferocious battle at the end of the race because you can put yourself in so many places. You could go 240 miles per hour around this place if they took the plates off.''

Several drivers expressed concern that the new surface would make for bigger packs and closer racing, opening the door for a big wreck on a track where big wrecks are common.

"I'm not really concerned about it,'' Earnhardt said. "If I thought about it a lot I probably would be. It's part of the deal. At the same time, I have a better opportunity of saving the car in this situation.

"As much as it might create some bravery, it's definitely a more controllable situation.''