To get around NASCAR's ban on testing, some teams have beaten the bushes to find out-of-the-way short tracks. Another journeyed to an old, fast oval that NASCAR's top series hadn't raced on in more than 27 years. Many are flocking to a revered old facility in the North Carolina Sand Hills. And several others trucked it clear across the country, to the dusty southeast corner of Mesa, Ariz., to make laps on a 5-mile oval at a manufacturer's proving ground.

Juan Montoya at the Goodyear tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Teams have gotten a little time on sanctioned tracks thanks to Goodyear tire tests, which NASCAR has excused from the ban.

Ban on testing? What ban on testing?

"I think it's naive for everybody to assume that we don't test anymore," said Michael Nelson, vice president of operations for Penske Racing. "I think the restriction on testing does have an effect in a positive way for all the teams to conserve costs. But there's still testing going on."

In reaction to the economic recession, NASCAR in November indefinitely suspended testing at all tracks that host events in its Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Truck and Camping World East and West touring divisions, effectively banning teams from most major venues in the country. With sponsorship cash at a premium and several organizations facing unsure futures, the move was made to force teams to try and save money. Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway, usual preseason open tests at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway in Southern California -- they were all called off.

But even NASCAR's reach extends only so far, and, as usual, organizations with creativity and money to spare have been able to find a way. Teams unearthed unsanctioned venues like Pike's Peak, Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway and tiny South Georgia Motorsports Park. Rockingham Speedway, dropped off the NASCAR schedule in 2004, has drawn steady business. Old Texas World Speedway in College Station has drawn interest. Manufacturers have opened their proving grounds. Since teams are private business entities, NASCAR can't control what they do away from a sanctioned race track, even if that involves circumventing a ban on testing. (Continued)