DAYTONA STARS AND RUMORS.(Competition)

Why would a NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion, two Indianapolis 500 winners and a Champ Car World Series star all be at the same test? They're gearing up for Grand-Am's Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. The Nov. 6-7 test at Daytona International Speedway hosted 21 Daytona Prototypes and 19 Grand Touring cars.

Bobby Labonte, Helio Castroneves, Eddie Cheever Jr. and Patrick Carpentier were some of the well-known drivers lapping in various prototypes. Danica Patrick was originally entered in the test, but withdrew for unannounced reasons. It's not known if she will compete in the race.

Rolex Series regular Max Angelelli recorded the test's fastest lap in his SunTrust Racing Riley-Pontiac, followed by Colin Braun in a Krohn Racing Riley-Pontiac and Scott Pruett, who drove Ganassi Racing's Riley-Lexus. The top-10 cars were all within one second.

The test days included plenty of rumors about the Rolex 24 and the 2007 season, but the key storylines included Michael Shank Racing's deal with Penske Indy Racing League stars Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves. They will drive in the race, and Castroneves drove at the test. Hornish expects to test for the first time in December at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Bill Lester (Competition, Nov. 13) also tested with Michael Shank Racing. Lester hopes to earn a seat to compete in his fifth Rolex 24. Lester wasn't the only NASCAR driver on-hand, as Bobby Labonte ran for Finlay Motorsports. Labonte is talking with the team about driving its Crawford-Ford in the race, though a deal is not final.

Clearing up

The IRL's 2007 lineup is looking clearer, although there aren't enough cars yet to suit expectations.