Jim Covey, Engine Technical Director for GM Racing:
"If the teams can get through today's race -- given the stress 500 unrestricted miles puts on an engine anyway -- they will feel more comfortable going to a (track like) Bristol or Martinsville. Of all the tracks on the circuit, California Speedway is the toughest race track on an engine. If they can make it here, there shouldn't be any concerns at the other tracks on the tour."And if they can't?
NASCAR debuted unleaded fuel in the Cup series today.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver Martin Truex Jr. fell out of Sunday's race on lap 16 due to a blown engine. Last year's championship contender Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his second consecutive DNF and fell to 41st in the standings after his engine gave up on lap 120. Junior initially started to lose oil pressure on lap 66:
"I was really, really worried about the engines today because we blew two motors at the test in Las Vegas (in January) and I saw (teammate) Martin (Truex Jr.) blow up early on. We were able to get this one into the garage the first time without blowing it up like a grenade. If it's still intact, it's a lot easier for our guys to take it back to the shop and figure out what may be causing the problem. But, we went back out and it blew up big time. We're lucky to have next weekend off so we can spent that extra week figuring it out and be ready to race at Vegas. Everybody needs to keep their heads up and we'll figure it out."DEI driver Paul Menard finished 20th, but also radioed in at one point with a vibration he thought was coming from the engine. Kasey Kahne's engine blew up early in the race, too, and Ken Schrader, Dave Blaney and John Andretti also had trouble.
The teams have had plenty of time to prepare for the switch to unleaded, but engine builders haven't mastered the adjustments necessary to compensate for the additional wear and tear on valves and valve seats caused by unleaded's lack of lubricity.
But that concern seemed to be an issue of running 500 miles vs. 300 or less.
These cars had trouble before they'd run even 100 laps. So, is it the fuel ... or is that just a coincidence?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-25-2007 @ 11:16PM
STEVEN said...
a dale suxhardt fans, your boy even going to finish a race this year. dale jr is the most overrated driver that i have ever seen. this guy has won nothing and you people bow to him like he's the greatest to ever race a car. when he starts winning championships you can talk. he is not and never will be like his daddy and he will never win a championship. dale jr falls into the kyle petty class. great dads and sons that sux. sounds like a good must see tv.lol
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2-26-2007 @ 11:40AM
One of the many fans said...
It's a shame that DEI hasn't been able to figure out their problems. They have the talent, but not the equipment. If they don't figure it out soon, DEI might not have anyone in the chase this year.
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2-26-2007 @ 5:57PM
no_one said...
I don't think jr. could help what happen in either race.I hope they have the motor thing straighten out before Vegas.
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2-28-2007 @ 7:04AM
Bebe said...
When everyone's DEI engine fails (and they crash and hopefully not burn) Teresa will realize she is over her head. DEI needs to have top notch folks to run the engine shop and the rest of the business. And my guess is they have the money to attract the best and brightest.
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2-28-2007 @ 12:04PM
andy said...
DEI is hampered by kin folk working together while trying to stay at arms length.Clean house.Replace tony ury with an out of shop crew chief.....someone to stay focused on racing; not entwined in family politics. And as above;it may be the gas. But all the other teams had it worked out.Dale is not his dad. He is a great driver ie Daytona last year. He did come in 5th last year based on consistency. Having said that, he is not as aggressive as I would like to see
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2-28-2007 @ 2:47PM
Bonnie Faulkner said...
I truly believe Junior has the talent. But I agree with you, Andy. I think the engines are probably only half the problem. God knows having the money to get it right isn't the issue. I also question if things will EVER come together for this team. I don't know of any other driver his age who has his hands in so much. Sponsor commitments, Charity events, yes--but his own organization, JR Racing, and all his teams, his new track, add to it the highly publicized family issues, pressure (that thankfully he survived shouldered and grown up through) not to mention things we don't even know about. Regardless of him saying he concentrates on only racing. For a lot of JR haters out there, I guess his over-exposure on the tube is irritating compared to his performance, but he is a great ambassador for Nascar and brings in more fans than anyone could imagine. That is the up side. I just can't believe that there is any way a human being can do it all and still give 100%, regardless of whether or not they believe they are. How can they know? Yes Sr. built his empire while racing, but it was during his later years when wasn't winning championships. When he started out, he raced for someone else it wasn't family and he was hungry to win.
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3-04-2007 @ 8:11PM
think THEN speak said...
To comment #1...You believe " Dale Jr. falls into the Kyle Petty class "
LMAO
I believe YOUR daddy should have taught you.....It's better to be thought of a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
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