RACE22.com previewed(CLICK HERE to view the Preview) this race last night in detail letting you know of many of the competitors that will compete in this race, but today with cars starting to roll in for this weekends racing action we've learned more. Most of the drivers we talked about in the Dwight Huffman Memorial Preview last night have been testing today with the exception of a few who are in Chicago this weekend for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race that will conclude tonight.

One driver who wasn't there today for testing was Andy Loden and when fans roll into Hickory tomorrow they might not immediately recognize Loden as he won't be driving his familiar yellow and red #29 car, but rather his car will be a little brighter. Loden will be behind the wheel of the #54 car, which is the house car for Hess Chassis and is ordinarily driven by USARacing Series driver, Clay Rogers.

RACE22.com confirmed late this evening that Loden will be behind the wheel of the Hess car for the Dwight Huffman Memorial, but will be powered by one of his powerful crate engines that normally powers his #29 cars. Loden is hoping the change can help change his 2009 luck around after he's had a dismal season so far on the UARA-STARS Series tour.

We first reported last night that FatHead Racing Development Driver, Brennan Poole had withdrawn his entry in the Dwight Huffman Memorial, but a late night decision last night had Poole on the track today testing for tomorrow's race. Poole was originally scheduled to compete in this race, but withdrew this week in an effort to prepare for one of the upcoming UARA-STARS tour races, where he's competing for the Rookie of the Year award.

Poole and his team owner, Jamie Yelton made the decision late last night to attempt the Dwight Huffman Memorial and after Poole's previous Hickory performance on June 20th, where he led most of the race. Poole led most of that 100-lap race until late when he broke a shifter knob and eventually missed a shift costing him any chance at victory. Poole will be looking for redemption in this the biggest Late Model Stock Car race in the history of Hickory Motor Speedway and a track where he's been hit or miss since beginning his career on the track in a test session in early March.

Another driver not expected to be a part of the field at Hickory this weekend is Paddy Rodenbeck, but today he was there testing his car for tomorrow's Dwight Huffman Memorial. Rodenbeck was expected to compete at Motor Mile Speedway in twin races tomorrow, but after his most recent performance at Hickory on June 27th when he won the UARA-STARS Series race leading flag to flag, the young driver may be setting his sights on the DHM trophy.

Rodenbeck also received high marks overnight last night as the latest rankings of today's top prospects was released from DavidSmithMotorsports.com, a website that ranks the potential future stars of the upper levels of NASCAR racing. Rodenbeck has been impressive this season after having a terrible rookie season on the UARA-STARS tour last year, he has two wins already this season.

Today's testing featured over 30-cars and some of the names you would expect to hear being fast were the ones who everybody was looking at again this weekend. Kyle Grissom was turning in some solid times in practice today, but made a ton of laps to get his car faster today.

Jake Crum, who was fast in yesterday's testing was quick again today with the help of his new crew chief, David Flynn, who came on board this week.  Crum had been racing without a formal crew chief and his team had been doing it by together for most of this season.

Poole, who we mentioned above wasn't going to compete in this race until late last night was strong in testing as well as his car owner, Jamie Yelton, who put on stickers late and made some good runs.