Engine troubles were a major issue last weekend in Las Vegas as many Sprint Cup drivers experienced engine failure.
The first engine failure came during Friday’s practice session when Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Toyota blew and engine. The team replaced the engine and despite his engine woes he was able to capture the Coors Light Pole. However, he had to start at the rear of the field and won the race at his home track.
In fact the pre-qualifying engine woes did not effect the other four Toyota’s that had to switch engines after qualifying. Team Red Bull drivers Brian Vickers (83), Scott Speed and Michael Waltrip, along with David Reutimann (00) and Marcos Ambrose (47) all switched engines after they qualified their cars and, like Busch, had to start at the rear of the field.
Four of the five engines were suppled by Toyota Racing Development. Lee White, president of TRD, said the engines were faulty because teams were trying to get more horsepower for qualifying. White also said their engine woes were in no way related to the Fords of Roush Fenway Racing’s.
Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth (17) was attempting to become the only driver to win the opening three races. Unfortunately, it was not a success as his Ford finished 43rd after losing and engine on lap six. Two of Kenseth’s teammates, David Ragan (6) and Carl Edwards (99) also lost engines during the race.
Doug Yates, owner of Yates racing, who oversees the Roush-Yates engine program, said that the engine woes of the three Fords could have been pinpointed to the speed of the tires. However, on Wednesday he said the problems were most likely due to the gear ratio set for Las Vegas Motor Speedway as well as the 15 percent humidity.
The engine problems could also be a result of no off season testing at NASCAR sanctioned tracks, which includes LVMS. Without testing, the drivers will rely on information from last year’s races. With three races complete the full impact of the no testing policy has yet to be seen in major affect.
As with anything there is no one cause to a problem. A multitude of things could have lead to the engine failure.
NASCAR officials said they will consider making an adjustment to the gear ratio rule at LVMS next season.
Don’t miss:
From Atlanta
- Sprint Cup qualifying, today at 6:30 p.m. on SPEED
- American Commercial Lines 200 (Camping World race), Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on SPEED
- Kobalt Tools 500 (Sprint Cup race), Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on FOX
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