by FOXSports.com

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NASCAR has set its 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing schedule that includes seven different venues that will provide the teams an opportunity to prepare for the various track layouts and surfaces that they will face over the course of the season. NASCAR determined the test schedule with the input and cooperation of each of the teams' crew chiefs.

The testing sessions begin at Daytona International Speedway with the NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder at Daytona, beginning Monday, Jan. 8 running through Wednesday, Jan. 10 for approximately half the teams. Thursday, Jan. 11 is the rain date, if necessary. Test sessions will resume Monday, Jan. 15 through Wednesday, Jan. 17, with Thursday, Jan. 18 as the rain date for the remaining teams. Test sessions at Daytona are scheduled for 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weather permitting, with an hour lunch break from noon until 1 p.m.

The remaining six tracks that will host test sessions are:

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway -- Jan. 29-30 (rain date is Jan. 31)
• Bristol Motor Speedway -- Feb. 28-March 1 (rain date is March 2)
• Richmond International Raceway -- April 3-4 (rain date is April 5)
• Lowe's Motor Speedway -- May 7-8 (rain date is May 9)
• Dover International Speedway -- May 14-15 (rain date is May 16)
• Talladega Superspeedway -- Sept. 10-11 (rain date is Sept. 12)

NASCAR instituted a new track testing policy in 2006 that pre-sets a schedule for when and where NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series tests are to be conducted. The scheduled tests are the only opportunities teams will have to test at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup tracks. The policy was implemented to serve as an aid to maintain better overall competitive balance for the teams and contain costs.

"NASCAR received input and recommendations from each of the crew chiefs that was valuable to our decision making process," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president for competition. "The seven tracks that were selected provide the teams with a wide variety of layouts, surfaces, and track characteristics that should provide them with an opportunity to have success in 2007."