LOUDON, N.H. – Scarborough native Ryan Moore got his first taste of NASCAR Busch Series action Friday, making his long-awaited and much anticipated debut for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. organization.
Moore wheeled the Oreo/Kraft Foods sponsored Chevrolet out for the first practice session for today’s New England 200, and found out right away just how competitive the series can be.
Of the 46 cars in the Busch Series garage, Moore was 30th on the speed chart with a fast lap of 30.337 seconds around the 1.058-mile oval for a speed of 125.550.
Nextel Cup regular Kasey Kahne turned the quickest lap of the session at 29.477 (129.213 mph) in the Evernham Motorsports Dodge.
“The car felt good, and I was comfortable once we got going,” Moore explained. “We just need to get some more speed out of it, and I’m confident we’ll be able to do that in the next session.”
Tony Eury Sr., his crew chief for the Busch Series effort, was busy pouring over notes following the first practice to determine what adjustments would be made.
Eury worked his magic before the second session, moving Moore up to 24th on the speed charts to 127.011 mph. His is one of 16 cars that will need to earn its way into the New England 200 on time, and it appears as though the car is fast enough to do so.
“We freed the car up to where it turns much better now,” said Moore. “I think we’ll be okay come qualifying time tomorrow.”
Former Busch North Series standout and 2005 Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. was quickest in final practice with a blistering lap of 29.369 seconds.
Parting ways
Nextel Cup regular Michael Waltrip surprised many race observers when he announced that he will leave DEI following this season.
Waltrip, a Daytona 500 winner and longtime presence in the big league, said the decision was a tough one.
“We just sat down and decided it was the right move for everybody involved,” said Waltrip. “I’m unsure as to exactly where I’ll be in 2006, but we’ve got plenty of time to weigh the options.”
The NAPA Chevrolet is one of the most coveted rides in the garage area, and speculation about his successor should be widespread. But NAPA could also leave DEI and follow Waltrip to another ride.
Modified race
Ted Christopher roled to victory in the Whelen Modified Tour 100 held here earlier Friday.
The Plainville, Conn., driver held off former champion Tony Hirschman to earn top honors, while Eric Beers finished third. Doug Coby and Steve Whitt completed the top five.
Every July, thousands of fans file into the grandstands at NHIS to see the infamous “bump drafting” the Mods are known for, and this year’s go-around didn’t disappoint.
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