ROCKINGHAM NC (3-21-08) - ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Joey Logano, in the #25 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet, was the quickest in morning testing here Friday at Rockingham Speedway.

The Middletown, Connecticut driver timed in at 25.195 seconds around the historic, high-banked mile oval for an average speed of 142.885 mph.

"We still need to make the car better," said Logano. "It's good, but it can be better, and the guys are working real hard to get there. But what a blast this place is to drive. This place is challenging; it's a driver's track and you have to stay up on the wheel all the way around. Really looking forward to racing here."

Logano races under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner, and will be making his career-first ARCA RE/MAX Series attempt in the upcoming May 4th, Carolina 500 at Rockingham.

Matt Carter, who replaced Frank Kimmel in the Larry Clement-owned 46 Ford Fusion, was second quickest at 25.338 seconds, and average speed of 142.079 mph.

"The car was actually better in the beginning," said Carter. "But it got real loose as the day went on. We made some changes but we sort of went the wrong way. So we went back to where we were, changed rear springs and we'll see where we're at now. The cars' good, but it needs to be a lot better."

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer Chad McCumbee was third on the morning practice charts at 25.343 seconds, an average speed of 142.051 mph.

"I'm just so happy to be here," said the two-time ARCA RE/MAX Series winner. "I'm here helping Andy (Hillenburg) and Andy (Belmont). "We tested the #1 Maaco car this morning, and it went real well - very happy with the car. But what a great race this is going to be - starting 50 cars; I mean, I'm just so dang happy to be a small part of it."

Roush Fenway Racing's Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. was fourth quickest overall in front of Tom Hessert, III, who rounded out the top-five quickest drivers in morning practice.

Newcomer Van Knill was sixth quickest overall but made contact with the wall off turn two causing extensive damage to his #43 Specialty Racing Chevrolet. Bryan Silas also made contact with the outside wall off turn two causing extensive right-side damage to his #11 Nortrax-ICI Homes Chevrolet. Silas's crew is currently working on his machine in an effort to get back out in afternoon practice; however, Knill and his crew packed up and left for the day. There were no injuries.

Practice continues this afternoon until 5:00 pm.

Morning Practice Speeds, ARCA RE/MAX Series, Rockingham Speedway, 3-21-08