Newman, Kenseth top Wednesday practices

Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth were the two fastest drivers in two NASCAR Nextel Cup practice sessions preceding Thursday's Gatorade Duels at the Daytona International Speedway. High winds prevailed throughout the day.

Newman cranked off a lap at 187.668 miles per hour in the afternoon session. Close behind the Indiana driver was Jeff Burton at 187.590, Dave Blaney at 187.379, Tony Stewart at 187.375 and Greg Biffle at 187.332.

"We're trying to make the Alltel Dodge faster a little bit at a time, transferring from the qualifying mode to the race mode," Newman said. "I think Kurt (Busch) and I will work well together; it is just a matter of being at the right place at the right time."

Fifty-nine cars took to the track with elder statesman James Hylton bringing up the rear with a lap of 180.534 mph.

For the earlier hour of practice, Kenseth came out on top with a lap of 188.281 mph. Reed Sorenson at 188.139, Casey Mears at 188.135, Mike Wallace at 187.946 and Derrike Cope at 187.825 rounded out the top five speedsters.

Sixty cars were on the track and with 34 laps run, Tony Raines led the way in most laps turned. Once again, Hylton had the slowest car at 183.139 mph.

Daytona 500 fast qualifier David Gilliland completed 14 laps in the two rounds of practice with a speed of 186.405 mph being his fastest lap. Teammate Ricky Rudd took 31 practice laps with the fastest being 187.469.

Michael Waltrip was not allowed to practice in either session. His team is on hold until NASCAR officials complete the analysis of the substance found in the manifold of his Toyota on qualification day.