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Watkins Glen Test Session


WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.- - After a sub-par effort at Watkins Glen International in 2002, Jeff Gordon knew the competition had caught up to him on the 2.45-mile road course in central New York. To stay a corner or two ahead of his pack, Gordon tested at the road course on Monday-Tuesday, July 28-29. "We've been off here the last couple races, so that's why we're here testing," Gordon said. "From the looks of it, there must be a lot of guys want to improve here. There's a lot of cars testing." Among others taking to the track at Watkins Glen during the two day test session were points leader Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Bobby Labonte, Ron Fellows, Robby Gordon, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Kyle Petty, and Boris Said. In Monday's session, Robby Gordon's lap of one minute, 11.79 seconds broke the track pole qualifying record of set in 2001 by Dale Jarrett. On Tuesday, Martin one-upped Robby's lap by touring the course in one minute, 11.10 seconds-- though test speeds are considered unofficial. Jeff Gordon's fast lap of the two-day test session came on Tuesday with a lap of one minute, 11.72 seconds.

Tuesday's Top Lap Times:
Mark Martin (1:11.10), Greg Biffle (1:11.30), Dale Earnhardt Jr (1:11.70),
Jeff Gordon (1:11.72), Robby Gordon (1:11.79), Ron Fellows (1:11.90),
PJ Jones (1:12.00), Joe Varde (1:12.01), Johnny Miller (1:12.10),
Matt Kenseth (1:12.20), Boris Said (1:12.30), Christian Fittipaldi (1:12.34),
Scott Pruett (1:12.50), Bobby Labonte (1:12.50), Casey Mears (1:12.50)

Monday's Top Lap Times:
Robby Gordon (1:11.79), Greg Biffle (1:12.06), Mark Martin (1:12.09),
Ron Fellows (1:12.40), PJ Jones (1:12.42), Boris Said (1:12.43),
Dale Earnhardt Jr (1:12.50), Matt Kenseth (1:12.61), Jeff Gordon (1:12.70),
Bobby Labonte (1:12.77), Casey Mears(1:13.00), Johnny Miller (1:13.07),
Scott Pruett (1:13.27), Kyle Petty (1:13.75), Christian Fittipaldi (1:13.76)

WATKINS GLEN TESTING PHOTOS:
The DuPont team analyzes data in the garage area
Jeff Gordon at speed | #44 NY Yankees paint scheme
Dale Jr in turn 1 | Matt Kenseth gets ready
Martin and Biffle | Robby Gordon's FDNY paint scheme

Local News Article: Heavy hitters tune for title run




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