Without question, the higher speeds caused by the repaving, along with the traditionally challenging Darlington layout, had drivers vexed. “I think every car on the track is going to hit it (wall),” said Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne. “It’s just how hard everyone is going to hit it. It’s a pretty tough track. It’s fast. It’s really going to be tough to pass. I think the key is mainly how hard you’re going to hit it (wall). That’s a big thing.”

SPEED will televise the final “Happy Hour” practice session from 2-3 p.m., as well as qualifying at 5:15 p.m. All times are EDT.

Tom Jensen is the Senior NASCAR Editor for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good

NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the President of the National Motorsports Press Association. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

DODGE CHALLENGER 500 PRACTICE 3 RESULTS

SPEED will televise the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXIV and the NASCAR Sprint Showdown live on May 17, as well as provide more than 90 hours of support programming prior to the event. Stay tuned to SPEEDtv.com for frequent updates on the history of the event and all the details about this year’s action.