Homestead: Wednesday test day report

PIERCE LEADS WEDNESDAY'S SILVER CROWN TESTING AT HOMESTEAD

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Aaron Pierce led Wednesday's three-hour testing session for the USAC Silver Crown Series presented by K&N Engineering at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Pierce, who was also the fastest in an opening test session in January at Phoenix International Raceway, set an unofficial top lap speed of 167.534 mph as 12 of the 14 pre-entered drivers toured the track.

"The car's real good," said the Muncie, Ind. native Pierce, driving the No. 26 Sam Pierce Racing Riley Technologies/Chevy. "It's stable, a little on the tight side, but I think we'll work that out of it. I think it will be a pretty good race. As far as the aero push situation, hopefully that won't be a big factor. It seems like it's pretty easy to pass. The cars really suck up good when you get behind someone, draft-wise."

Series point leader Dave Steele of Tampa, Fla. set the second fastest speed (166.283 mph). The 12 competitors took nearly 250 laps, with Chilean Pablo Donoso leading all drivers with 39 laps completed.

The cars will continue with a one-hour test starting at 5 p.m. tomorrow in preparation for Saturday's qualifications and 67-lap, 100-mile race.

<pre> POS DRIVER TESTING SPEEDS 1. Aaron Pierce 167.534 mph 2. Dave Steele 166.283 mph 3. Bud Kaeding 163.586 mph 4. Brian Tyler 163.237 mph 5. Pablo Donoso 162.690 mph 6. Thiago Medeiros 161.267 mph 7. Peter Shepherd III 160.685 mph 8. P.J. Jones 160.348 mph 9. Tim Barber 156.866 mph 10. Bryn Gohn 154.598 mph 11. Greg Furlong 152.787 mph 12. Rich Tobias Jr. 146.426 mph

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