NASCAR seeking to find if Nationwide Toyotas have horsepower advantage

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Sunday, July 20, 2008
$util.encode.html($content.photo.alt)

Todd Warshaw
Getty Images for NASCAR

MADISON, Ill. – Nationwide Series director Joe Balash said at Gateway International Raceway that NASCAR is still poring over data culled from dynomometer tests on 10 engines pulled from cars after last week’s race at Chicagoland Speedway.

NASCAR took engines from three Toyotas, three Chevrolets, two Dodges and two Fords to compare horsepower numbers. Some competitors have complained that Toyotas enjoy as much as a 25-horsepower advantage this season as Camrys have won 14 of the 20 races and nine of the 16 poles contested this year.

“That’s a lot of data to go through,” Balash said. “We’re disseminating the data to the teams right now, but as much information as we’ve gathered over 10 engines, it’s going to take us awhile to have our engineers go through and look at all the data before any decisions are made.”

Balash wouldn’t say if NASCAR had found any patterns in the data and said the sanctioning body also needs to compare the latest data with dyno runs earlier this year after the Atlanta and Milwaukee races.

As to what changes are made, Balash said he wouldn’t talk about what NASCAR might do.

Also, Balash said brake calipers taken from Carl Edwards’ No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford last weekend were unapproved parts, but because the violation was a first offense, no penalties were handed down.

“The two front calipers we took from the car were not on our approved brake list,” Balash said. “As we have done on some other parts, the first offense is we just take the components from the team.”

Comments

24 responses to "NASCAR seeking to find if Nationwide Toyotas have horsepower advantage". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    4da88 said:
    Jul 19, 2008 at 6:06 PM

    It is about time. Now if they will only make it right.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  2. 2
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Jul 19, 2008 at 8:08 PM

    Yes hopefully they will make it right in the Nationwide series, they need to make it right in the cup series to.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  3. 3
    Frank Alford said:
    Jul 19, 2008 at 11:21 PM

    I believe they will once they figure exactly how much of an advantage Toyota has and where.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  4. 4
    Worm Dirt said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 1:04 AM

    Folks... are you sincerely telling me that if Nascar discovers that some Teams have discovered ways within the rules for their engines to produce more horespower than their competition, that YOU CONDONE taking action to handicap their efforts????? It's a competition!!!...the name of the game is to work hard and FIND AN ADVANTAGE! Besides the three people above, who else out there wants to add their name to the list of excuse-making pessimists that ignore the FACT that ONLY ONE TEAM seems to be doing well with Toyota this year????? Your opinions are definitley widespread, but PLEASE don't mistake that as somehow justifying your spineless finger-pointing. The truth will be revealed in time. SOme of it was revealed tonight. AND many of you are in for a rude awakening!!! This type of thing is an embarassment.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  5. 5
    anonymous said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 8:19 AM

    Leave it to the dirty worm to provide another one of his mindless rants. He takes great pride in providing insults to everyone that posts on this site. He doesn't like the opinions of others and loves to call names such as excuse making pessimists and spinless finger pointers. He wants everyone to see things his way, nobody is allowed to think for themselves and form an opinion. He is right, always right and shame on us for thinking otherwise. The only thing that is an embarassment is his postings. Last year everyone was screaming about the Chevy "advantage", this year it's the Toyota "advantage". Instead of criticizing all the other "lowly" people for their opinion, take your cause to the NASCAR chain.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  6. 6
    Worm Dirt said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    Nice try.... Look... just like there are two ways to view a glass of water...half-full or half-empty....There are two ways for you to look at Joe Gibbs SUCCESS w/ Toyota. Either you give them credit for their hard work and determination.... OR .... you make claims that they are cheating WITHOUT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE. So, please please please explain to me how "excuse-making", "pessimistic", "spineless", "finger-pointing" etc. do not fit perfectly into this discussion? Why does the truth about this issue frighten you so much?

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  7. 7
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 2:14 PM

    Worm why don't you comment on the story like other people do instead of insulting people? I'm just asking a question so don't go calling me names or insulting me. I'm allowed to my opinion just as much as you are.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  8. 8
    Anonymous said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 3:00 PM

    Mr. Worm Dirt are you saying that NASCAR does not have a right to test the horse power all of the makes of cars that race that race in NASCAR? NASCAR has done this may times to determine if engine rules favor one make or another. In the Nationwide series it is not just Gibbs Toyota’s that seam to have an advantage. David Reutimann was the fastest car until he crashed at Gateway that would be a Michael Waltrip car.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  9. 9
    Anonymous said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 3:42 PM

    Take-off the STUPID restricter plate NASCAR put-on this year & LET 'EM RUN!

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  10. 10
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 20, 2008 at 10:17 PM

    NASCAR should have already done something about Toyota before it got this far---wonder why they are acting now? What ya think, Worm? Finding out the truth sure as heck won't embarass me. Guess cheating is a new phenomonon for NASCAR---hasn't happened before---is that what you are trying to say?Let's hope not---that would blow all your theories out of the water.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  11. 11
    Scott Baker said:
    Jul 21, 2008 at 9:33 AM

    Ridiculous that it takes NASCAR weeks to go through the data. Either the engines comply or they don't. DOES NOT take weeks to analyze. They are getting to be more like politicians than a simple racing authority. It is situations like this that help to undermine the racing public's trust in the organization.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  12. 12
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Jul 21, 2008 at 7:25 PM

    NASCAR has the right to see if there is an illegal advantage to Toyota's horsepower but hey if they are within the legal limits then I suggest Chevy, Dodge and Ford get busy and do their homework. In my opinion, Toyota does not have an unfair advantage, JGR just figured something out the other teams haven't. Don't penalize Toyota for being good at what they do.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  13. 13
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 21, 2008 at 10:27 PM

    Scott, I expect NASCAR is dragging its feet because they wouldn't want to admit a mistake. Gladys, Toyota may not have an unfair advantage and therefore should not be penalized, but I figure Chevy and others are at a disadvantage because NASCAR wants the Toyotas to do well---just my opinion---let's hope all is fair---sure would be impossible to undo what's been done already.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  14. 14
    Ed B said:
    Jul 21, 2008 at 11:30 PM

    Let's see... Toyota is down on power last year so they invest some $ and spend a year developing more hp. What do you think Chevy and Ford should do? Logic would say invest some money in development. I think it's pretty cut and dry.

    Also, let's not forget that TRD supplies EVERY Toyota's engine. JGR can mess with it if they want, but TRD creates it. Makes sense that MWR and JGR would both have fast cars.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  15. 15
    Anonymous said:
    Jul 22, 2008 at 6:51 AM

    I remember when Chevy dominated for much of the last 20 years Nascar didn't do anything to even things out. Chevy clearly had the aero and engine advantage under Nascar's "Rules". Now that the Japs have the advantage the Chevy fans are screaming bloody murder. Go Figure!
    The Japs are pouring huge amounts of money into research and development so what do you expect?

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  16. 16
    mike Wilfong said:
    Jul 23, 2008 at 12:03 PM

    can someone please tell me why chevy ro7 is
    is not used in the nationwide series???? please stop telling me how hard toyota teams have work ,they do have and advanatage it call nascar!!!!!!!,,they done everything but give them a reach around ,,after 50 yr of racing pushrod v8 by chevy ,ford,dodge they get to build a race only version ,fixing all problems relayed to stock production engines ,but you say chevy also done that w/r07 yes thats right ,but they cant use itttt!

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  17. 17
    patsi Wilbanks said:
    Jul 23, 2008 at 8:52 PM

    Michael Waltrip plainly said in the first part of this season that he has 50 more horsepower and he stated that is why he is finishing races. It is not simply an issue of who has the most money to put into the face of NASCAR. It is plain and simple FAIRNESS AND RULES!! This is Nascar...N meaning National...NOT INTER national for goodness sakes....whether you call it " southern" or "redneck" , or what ever you choose to use as your whinny "cop out" for a better choice of words...this sport was born in America...not Japan. Money seems to buy such evil and change is not always good. By the way, I thought Joey and Kyle were already joined together!!!

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  18. 18
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 23, 2008 at 10:28 PM

    Well, NASCAR is taking a step in Nationwide about the Toyotas---will not do anything in Sprint, I'm sure, because of the $*!# that has already happened this year. Everyone knows NASCAR promoted the Japs, so shut up about the R&D--they were just feeling their way into Cup last year with a bunch of losers in MWR and think they could come out this year smoking and people like some of you would jump up and accept them with open arms-what a bunch of crock! It's your mentality that has our economy on the brink of disaster. Ever heard of as American as apple pie amd chevrolet? Well, now you have!

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  19. 19
    Worm Dirt said:
    Jul 24, 2008 at 1:43 AM

    Emily, Have you ever walked around all day and you kind of noticed that people were looking at you a little strangely? They were polite about it probably.... maybe just avoiding eye-contact.... but something was definitely making them uncomfortable? Then later you happened to look in the mirror to realize that you had the biggest rankest nastiest something hanging out of your nose!!! Whoa!!!! Yikes!! ANd then the light bulb came on and it all made sense why people were acting strange! Please don't get mad cause I'm just trying to help, but when you discuss the issues you commented on above with people, do they ever look at you like there is something unpleasant hanging out of one your nostrils?

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  20. 20
    anonymous said:
    Jul 24, 2008 at 6:32 AM

    So that's why you have the name of dirty worm. ought to wash your face more often.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  21. 21
    Todd Clayton said:
    Jul 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM

    Thanks Mike for a real racer's take on the situation. All manufacurer's are requiered to submit their engines for nascar approval. Ford, & Chevy both were turned down on their new engines submitted 1 1/2 yrs ago, but amazingly a manufacturer who has never built a push rod engine before gets approved the first time it is submitted. When Chevy was dominating a couple yrs ago they made 1/4 inch changes weekly to the spoilers and front valance to try to "level the playing field" but with the cot all cars are identical. I would imagine nascar will take months to pour over all that dyno info to make sure the check from toyota clears the bank.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  22. 22
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM

    Mike and Todd, explain all this to Worm---he can't see past a nose---well, actually, he's a bit different from everyone else---if you know what I mean. Worm, no one ever looks at me strange---most intelligent people love me!!!

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  23. 23
    Daryl Rice said:
    Jul 25, 2008 at 1:33 PM

    Just for all of you who don't know. Nascar allowed Toyota to have unlimited access to all of the other engines from all the manufacturers. Toyota was then allowed to develop an engine using all the data from each manufacturer and we see the result great job on the part of the Toyota engineers ,let someone else do all the work and we refine it. Nascar should issue the engines and let them race like the COT body template was designed to do.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  24. 24
    emily bagwell said:
    Jul 25, 2008 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for the info,Daryl. This explains a lot. Nascar has overstepped their boundaries with this one. All Toyotas hard work my foot!!!! I knew Joe Gibbs had some kind of incentive for going with Toyotas

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. Comments are intended to encourage spirited debate and discussion about the subject matter contained within the articles and ARE NOT intended for personal or demeaning attacks directed at other users. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate. Users who violate this policy may be banned from posting comments on the site.

Comment Preview

Feb 9, 2010 at 11:39 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have an account you can create a free one here.

NASCAR Schedules

spd

Gatorade Duel 1

Daytona International Speedway
02:00 PM, 02/11/2010

Poll PositionView All

After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?

Promotions

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account