Notes: Troubled Waltrip atypically silent at Texas (cont'd)

Surely Earnhardt considered it more than cosmetic surgery, because he said the bump would "hold this place back for years to come" if not repaired. Track officials listened to perhaps their most successful driver, whose seven top-10 finishes in 12 Texas races lead everyone else.

There was a more technical explanation for the process. After the drilling of 15-20 half-inch holes into the concrete, copper tubes were inserted through the asphalt into the soil, followed by the injection of a special structure urethane.

Not everyone was convinced there would be much of a difference. Jeff Gordon said he didn't even know about the change until a couple of days ago. Defending Samsung 500 champion Kasey Kahne said the rough spot was better, but he wasn't sure it mattered.

"I thought the bumps were fine the way they were," Kahne said. "It's still the exact same track that it's been."

Some drivers said the change was more dramatic on the high side of the 24-degree banking in Turns 1 and 2. In practice and qualifying, most drivers stay on the low side of the track through that stretch.

"I think that's really going to show up in the race," said Carl Edwards, who won the fall 2005 Texas race. "I personally don't care if there's a 3-foot tall jump on the straightaway. It's the same racetrack for everybody."

Practice, interrupted

Weather shortened two attempts at practice sessions Friday. The first try ended after about 15 minutes because of rain, and the second was stopped after about 30 minutes because severe weather was on the way.

Kyle Busch was the fastest of five drivers surpassing 190 mph, hitting 190.416 on the last of 11 laps. The others at better than 190 were Casey Mears (190.201), David Stremme (190.134) and Tony Stewart and Martin Truex Jr. (both at 190.027).

Two practice sessions are scheduled Saturday.

Military tributes

Earnhardt unveiled two military-themed paint schemes he will drive in upcoming races, and Tony Raines will wear a special helmet during his "home" race for the Hall of Fame Racing team owned by former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.

Earnhardt will run a brown and beige "desert camouflage" car on Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte, N.C. A red, white and blue "stars and stripes" car will honor Independence Day for the July 7 race at Daytona.

Collectible diecasts of both cars will be sold, with the proceeds going to a fund that pays for college for surviving dependents of special operations personnel killed in action.

David Arrigo designed Raines' helmet, which will be auctioned off for charity Saturday and given to the winning bidder after Sunday's race. The same concept was used during the NHL All-Star Game in Dallas this year. Arrigo designed those helmets.

Raines' helmet features several saluting soldiers and fighter jets against a background of the U.S. flag.