Dodges lead way at practice
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Kasey Kahne led the way during Sprint Cup practice at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, while Joey Logano continued to struggle during his first week as a full-time driver on NASCAR's top circuit.
Kahne posted a session-best lap of 190.994 mph in his No. 9 Dodge. He was followed by fellow Dodge drivers Kurt Busch (190.840) and Sam Hornish Jr. (190.678).
Logano's session ended early when his No. 20 Toyota scraped the wall, sending him to the garage six laps into the hourlong session. Logano was unhurt and stood in the garage watching crew members try to get the car in shape to run during the afternoon practice.
Defending champion Ryan Newman had a bumpy morning, too, blowing the engine in his No. 39 Chevrolet.
"Something broke in the engine. I'm not really sure what," Newman said. "The horsepower has been great in qualifying and it felt strong out there, but I was just coming up through the gears and getting up to speed and something let go.
"It's unfortunate, but these guys have got another bullet they can bolt in there and we'll be good to go."
Pole-sitter Martin Truex Jr. ran 37th among the 54 cars that hit the track with a fast lap of 187.402 mph.
Surface issue: Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes Daytona International Speedway could use a facelift. It will have to wait at least three years.
Earnhardt said that NASCAR's most storied track, which hasn't been repaved since August 1978, is long overdue for a new surface.
"The track is old," Earnhardt said. "It's a terrible time to ask anyone to pave a racetrack, but if anyone needs it, it's probably Daytona."
DIS president Robin Braig said the track has a $20 million repaving project planned for 2012. Braig said it has not been decided exactly when the track would be resurfaced - either after the season-opening Daytona 500 or after the July race - and added that information from NASCAR and tire manufacturer Goodyear could alter the plan.
Sick days: There seems to be a flu bug working its way around the NASCAR garage. Two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jamie McMurray are among the drivers feeling a little under the weather at Daytona, where low temperatures last week were around 27 degrees and highs this week reached 82.
"I got a sinus infection Sunday night, laid in bed all day Monday, Tuesday, which I was going to do anyway," Earnhardt said. "I feel better getting in the race car. Getting sweaty helps you get better."
How did Earnhardt pass the time in bed?
"Just lay there and complain and cuss out everybody that comes around you," he said.