Nemechek posts top LVMS speed

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Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 11:11 a.m.

Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart, Sabco Racing's Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek and Andy Petree Racing's Kenny Wallace took part in a two-day test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week.

Nemechek posted the fastest unofficial lap speed of 166.02 mph in his BellSouth Chevrolet while Stewart, starting his rookie season in the Winston Cup Series, was second fastest at 165.73 mph in The Home Depot Pontiac.

The top qualifying speed for last year's inaugural Las Vegas 400 was 168.224 mph, set by pole sitter Dale Jarrett (Ford).

Other top speeds during this week's test: Labonte turned a 165.5 mph lap in a Pontiac; Marlin topped out at 165.02 in a Chevrolet; and Wallace turned a 164.09 in a Chevrolet.