NASCAR Cuts Toyota Horsepower In Nationwide Series

After confiscating nine engines following the Dollar General 300 Nationwide series race at Chicagoland Speedway, and testing them, NASCAR issued a technical bulletin today reacting to the findings.

The technical inspection revealed that David Reutimann’s No. 99 Toyota had three percent more horsepower than the competition. Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Toyota, which he drove to victory, was second. The No. 16 and 17 Fords from Roush Fenway Racing were next, followed by the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

Following the race at the Milwaukee Mile, which Carl Edwards won, a source said that dyno testing showed that Edwards’ peak horsepower was measured at 611, compared with 632 for the No. 20 Toyota, 628 for the No. 40 Dodge and 612 for the No. 88 Chevrolet.

The technical bulletin amended section 20A — 5.10.4 as follows:

At all Events, unless otherwise specified, all engines with a cylinder bore spacing less than 4.470 inches must compete using a tapered spacer with four (4) 1.125-inch diameter holes. At all Events, unless otherwise specified, all engines with a cylinder bore spacing of 4.470 inches or more must compete using a tapered spacer with four (4) 1.100-inch diameter holes. Unless otherwise authorized, the carburetor restrictor will be issued by NASCAR.

This ruling isn’t necessarily aimed at Toyota, as it applies to all engines that that reach the level of Toyota’s engines, regardless of the manufacturer.

The Race To The Chase

With seven races to go until the Chase gets underway, and 133 points separating 7th from 15th, there are about nine drivers fighting for six spots.

The drivers in the danger zone are: Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Denny Hamlin. The drivers on the outside looking in are Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, and David Ragan.

Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr. have an outside shot of making it, if other teams have catastrophic meltdowns. But, I consider them to be like those teams the back into the playoffs; they need others to make mistakes in order to get in.

Over the next few days, I plan to analyze which of those teams I think will make it in, as well as who I think will be out.

Stay tuned!