CHARLOTTE – Brad Keselowski will miss next week's fuel-injection test at Daytona International Speedway, but he's done enough testing to conclude the new system is "a disaster."
"It has less throttle response, and it's harder to get to start (because) it takes a computer to start the damn thing," the NASCAR driver said. "It's a pain in the (butt). I don't see where fans get anything from it."
In switching from carburetors to fuel injection next season, NASCAR has couched the move as a green initiative because it should make engines run more efficiently by controlling the fuel mixture through electronics. It also will bring stock cars more in line with street models, pleasing the four manufacturers that compete in the Sprint Cup Series— but not Keselowski.
"My dislike list is very long," Keselowski said. "I'm not a big fan of it at all. Carburetor technology is 50 years old but is very simple. The benefit of a carburetor is that it's very, very easy to police. That's why NASCAR stuck with that.
"Now, because of all the green initiatives, etc., etc., the sport has taken a lot of flak from different groups that probably don't understand that.
"They've been pressured into switching it through the green initiatives. In reality it's no more efficient than what we have, and it costs a lot more."
The new fuel injection modules are expected to run at least $25,000 apiece.
"We're not doing this because it's better for the teams," Keselowski said. "I don't think we're really going to save any gas. It's a media circus, trying to make you guys happy so you write good stories. It gives them something to promote.
"We're always looking for something to promote, but the honest answer is it does nothing for the sport except cost the team owners money. Cars on the street are injected with real electronics, not a throttle body (like in NASCAR). So we've managed to go from 50-year-old technology to 35-year-old technology. I don't see what the big deal is."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. took an opposing view, saying his two tests with fuel injection "had been smooth. Every time, it drives exactly like the carburetor car. I've jumped in and out of both of them and was really pleased. It's just a step in the natural process of the sport.
"I think Brad's just kind of frustrated because the testing for them maybe hasn't gone as well as they hoped. In the long run, it'll be a benefit for the sport."
Keselowski said he expected to get a scolding from NASCAR for espousing his views.
"I'm sure I will," he laughed. "But that's the honest part of it. I think it's a disaster."
