9-22-2007 - Talladega test preview

The list of entrants for the ARCA RE/MAX Series open test at Talladega Superspeedway, scheduled for Tuesday, September 25th, looks more like the main event. At present, 40-plus teams have sent notice that they intend on testing at Talladega in preparation for the upcoming ARCA RE/MAX 200, LIVE on SPEED Friday, October 5th at 5:00 pm ET. From an Indy 500 winner and Formula One champion to an eight-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion; from Hendrick Motorsports to Roush Fenway Racing; from Ganassi Racing to Brewco Motorsports, the field is packed with flavor and stories galore to help get things kicked off at the renowned 2.66-mile Alabama speedplant.

1995 Indy 500 winner and 1997 Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve, in a Bill Davis Racing entry, is listed among the entrants. A second Bill Davis entry is also among the entrants.

Roush Fenway Racing has filed two entries for the test including development driver Colin Braun and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver and former RE/MAX Series winner David Ragan. Braun, who has already announced a full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2008, finished third recently at Chicagoland Speedway in his second RE/MAX Series attempt. 

Current ARCA RE/MAX Series point leader and defending Talladega winner Frank Kimmel has also filed an entry for the test. Kimmel, chasing a ninth series crown, is leading Phoenix, Arizona rookie Michael McDowell by just 140 points headed to Talladega. McDowell, a recent winner at Chicagoland, is also listed among the Talladega testers in an Eddie Sharp Racing Dodge.

Team Red Bull and Eddie Sharp Racing have also announced that former Formula One Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Scott Speed will drive the No. 21 Red Bull Toyota in the upcoming test in preparation for his career-first series start at Talladega.