NASCAR REPORT: Testing banned in ‘09 at sanctioned tracks

NASCAR announced Friday it has suspended all testing at its sanctioned tracks next season in a cost-cutting measure that should help teams save several million dollars in their 2009 budgets.

The moratorium bans testing at any NASCAR-sanctioned track, including facilities where its low-level Camping World East and West series races.

“Hopefully, it’s a temporary situation,” said NASCAR president Mike Helton, who estimated the move will save “in the range of 10s of millions [of dollars] to the industry.”

It also includes the traditional “preseason” Daytona 500 testing, which NASCAR used to promote its season-opening showcase event.

Drivers generally loathe the midweek test sessions but value the data that’s gathered. Although Jimmie Johnson is poised to win his third consecutive Sprint Cup title, he struggled at the start of the year with NASCAR’s new car and used extensive testing to kick-start his season.

“I think it’s a mistake,” Johnson said. “I do understand and recognize that we need to cut expenses. … It’s going to slow things down and make it more expensive. We still have to get on the track. We still have to test.”

Chip Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. agreed this week to combine their teams next season, and the partnership resulted in 100-plus layoffs at DEI.

Edwards qualifies 4th, Johnson 30th

Carl Edwards qualified fourth for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale Sunday in Miami. He trailed only first-time pole winner David Reutimann, rookie Scott Speed and Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth. Johnson, who needs only to finish 36th or better to wrap up his third straight Cup title, will start 30th. It’s only the seventh time in 36 races that Johnson has started 20th or lower… . Johnny Benson took the Craftsman Truck Series title by seven points over Ron Hornaday. Todd Bodine won the Ford 200. Benson finished seventh, one spot ahead of Hornaday.