Already setting its sights on a new season, NASCAR announced the 2008 testing schedules for its three national series - the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The schedules encompass nine different venues that will provide the teams an opportunity to prepare for the various track layouts, surfaces and conditions that they will face over the course of the season. NASCAR determined the test schedules based upon the input and cooperation from each of the teams' crew chiefs.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing sessions begin at Daytona International Speedway with NASCAR Preseason Thunder, starting Monday, Jan. 7 and running through Wednesday, Jan. 9 for approximately half of the teams. Thursday, Jan. 10 is the rain date, if necessary. The following week, the remaining teams will test Monday, Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Jan. 16, with Thursday, Jan. 17 as the rain date. Test sessions at Daytona are scheduled for 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weather permitting, with an hour lunch break from noon until 1 p.m.

The remaining five tracks that will host test sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series include:

* Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Jan. 28-29
* California Speedway - Jan. 31- Feb. 1
* Phoenix International Raceway - March 3-4
* Pocono Raceway - May 27-28
* Lowe's Motor Speedway - Sept. 23-24

"NASCAR received input and recommendations from each of the crew chiefs that was valuable to our decision making process in determining the testing schedule for 2008," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president for competition. "The teams were interested in testing at some of the venues that the new car will be competing at for the first time. This lineup of tests will provide the teams the opportunity to prepare for a successful 2008 season."

The NASCAR Nationwide Series likewise kicks off its testing schedule with NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway. Approximately half of the teams are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 20 and the remaining teams slated for Sunday, Jan. 20 through Tuesday, Jan. 22. The remaining testing schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series includes:

* Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Jan. 30-31
* Richmond International Raceway - March 24-25 (rain date March 26)
* Lowe's Motor Speedway - May 12-13 (rain date May 14)

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also begin its 2008 testing at Daytona International Speedway with NASCAR Preseason Thunder, Friday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 13. The remaining testing schedule for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is as follows:

* Atlanta Motor Speedway - Jan. 22-23 (rain date Jan. 24)
* Martinsville Speedway - March 12-13 (rain date March 14)