CONCORD, N.C. — Lowe’s Motor Speedway General Manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler asked for a special NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test at his 1.5-mile superspeedway and he got one. NASCAR has scheduled a May 5-6 test in advance of the May 17 Sprint All-Star Race and the May 25 Coca-Cola 600.
“I appreciate NASCAR being proactive and attempting to improve the racing on the intermediate tracks,” Wheeler said. “It’s become obvious that something needs to be done immediately to help these teams. Hopefully, the additional track time will provide them the opportunity to find some things that will help when they come back two weeks later. We want the fans to see the best racing of the season when they come to Charlotte.”
Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage had lobbied for a test prior to the April race at TMS. A test was not granted and the event at the 1.5-mile track was one of the most forgettable NASCAR races in years.
“Although I am disappointed that NASCAR did not react in time for a test session we proposed prior to the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, I have to applaud them for finally listening to the teams and the tracks about this growing situation. I am hopeful that the additional testing will give teams a better handle on the set-ups and ultimately lead to a better quality of racing for the fans,” Gossage said.

• Haas CNC Racing announced Ken Schrader will drive the No. 70 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway.
“I’m definitely very excited about the opportunity to drive for Haas CNC Racing,” Schrader said. “It is a younger team that is going through the growing process, but yet has all of the elements in place.
“The team has an outstanding relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, and we know they have a proven engine program. We certainly don’t have to second guess the equipment.”

• Bill Davis Racing is suing Rockford-Montgomery Labs, producers of 360 OTC, for back payment on the company’s sponsorship of the team last season. In the suit filed in North Carolina Superior Court, BDR alleges the company paid only $25,000 of the $14 million it was contracted to pay for sponsorships in the Sprint Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series.

• In an effort to enhance its NASCAR Sprint Cup testing program, Penske Racing has hired David Stremme as a test driver. Stremme will participate in Penske Racing’s comprehensive testing program in an effort to accelerate the understanding of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dodge Charger that made its full-season debut in 2008.
“It’s a rare opportunity to have someone of David’s caliber to work with Kurt (Busch), Ryan (Newman) and Sam (Hornish, Jr.) to help us improve our NASCAR Sprint Cup program,” said Tim Cindric, president, Penske Performance, Inc. “David raced the new car and understands what it takes to compete at the highest levels.”

• Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates crew chiefs Donnie Wingo and Jimmy Elledge will change roles, with Wingo assuming duties on the No. 41 Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson and Elledge on the No. 42 Dodge driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, respectively.
“I really feel that these changes can be instrumental in moving Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates to the next level,” Ganassi said. “I have a lot of respect for both Donnie and Jimmy and the jobs that they do, and they both agree that this move can be very beneficial to the entire organization. I have said all along that I believe us to be a championship organization and that Felix and I will do whatever we can to make us better. This is toward that end.”