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Hendrick teams forced to change engines
By Bob Pockrass and Rea White - Associate Editors
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Dupont Chevrolet, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, during the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2008 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Jonathan Ferrey
Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hendrick Motorsports has encountered a problem with its engines at Daytona International Speedway, forcing mechanics to change the motors in all four of the team's NASCAR Sprint Cup cars following the opening practice today.
As a result of the changes, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Casey Mears will all have to start from the rear of the field in their respective Gatorade 150-mile qualifying races Thursday.
In addition, four other teams using Hendrick motors were originally expected to change their engines, but the Furniture Row teams ended up staying with their original motors, as did the No. 70 Haas team. The No. 66 Haas team did change its motor.
Hendrick’s problems centered around a batch of lifters, a hydraulic piece located between the push rod and valve springs.
“We didn’t have them that truly broke. Right now, we are looking at the lifter,” said Jeff Andrews, head engine builder. “We don’t have anything apart yet. We just have some assumptions based on some early signs there we saw in some check-overs after that first practice. We have got a group of guys back in Charlotte, the best group of guys in my mind, have already started on the fix for the program, and we’ll get this stuff back and get it rebuilt and brought back down here. What we will put in the car, we have a lot of confidence in for tomorrow.”
Teams are allowed to change engines prior to practice Friday in preparation for Sunday's Daytona 500.
Andrews said that the problem is not related to the RPMs the engines are turning, but that the fact that several were having problems offered clues to the nature of the issue.
“That’s what’s leading us to an issue with a batch or something,” Andrews said. “This is the exact same package that we came down here and tested with. We have three durability runs on our dynos back at the shop. We have a lot of confidence in this package. It’s the same package that we raced in the Bud Shootout. We took engines back after the Bud Shootout [and] pulled them apart. They looked really good and didn’t break. We’re looking at a batch issue right now.
“It’s a concern naturally because it’s a widespread problem. But it’s early.
Mentioned Drivers: Casey Mears
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2 responses to "Hendrick teams forced to change engines". Post a Comment.
Bryan Snyder said:
Feb 14, 2008 at 2:50 PMInteresting twist for Hendrick at the start of a new season!
Bryan Snyder said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:08 PMInteresting twist for Hendrick at the start of a new season!