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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers participated in the first-day of Goodyear’s tire testing on the new racing surface in advance of the 53^rd running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 20. The test was the first time race cars turned laps on the new asphalt of Daytona International Speedway, which was repaved for only the second time in its history.

NASCAR Vice President of Competition, Robin Pemberton, spoke about the Goodyear tire test At Daytona International Speedway:

“It was a very good day. The teams came well-prepared. Goodyear came well-prepared. The racetrack has a lot of grip. The surface is very smooth. It appears in drafting practice that they immediately went three-wide.”

The Goodyear tire test will be open to the public with free access to the Oldfield Grandstands through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

Below are some photos from the first day of testing (Click Images to Enlarge):

Fans watch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers draft together during the Goodyear Tire test Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was the first time that cars took to the World Center of Racing since the track was repaved. Photo Credit: Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

Fans watch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers draft together during the Goodyear Tire test Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was the first time that cars took to the World Center of Racing since the track was repaved - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

Defending Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray is among the first to pilot his car on the newly-repaved Daytona International Speedway during a Goodyear Tire test Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Fla. - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

In his new No. 22 Dodge Charger, 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch tests Goodyear Tires Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

Three-time Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon puts his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala through its paces during a Goodyear Tire test Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

In his new No. 27 Chevrolet Impala for Richard Childress Racing, Paul Menard tests Goodyear Tires Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

Casey Mears drives his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Camry during a Goodyear Tire test on Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla - Photo Credit: Casey Mears drives his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Camry during a Goodyear Tire test on Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives

David Ragan drives his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford Fusion during a Goodyear Tire test on Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. - Photo Credit: Motorsports Images and Archives