Toyota Busch and truck teams to use new manifold
LEBANON, Tenn. - In a technical bulletin issued this week, NASCAR has ordered Toyota Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams to use a different intake manifold in an effort to "level the playing field" with other manufacturers.
The change does not affect the Nextel Cup Series.
Busch Series Director Joe Balash said NASCAR informed the teams of the switch during the test at Richmond International Raceway last week. The sanctioning body has been working with Toyota officials "for a while" as NASCAR conducted chassis dynamometer tests this season.
The manifold was declared legal before the season, but tests have shown it gives Toyota teams a horsepower advantage. The new intake reduces horsepower, Balash said.
"We looked at all the manifolds on all the cars," Balash said. "We looked at that particular manifold as something we can make a change with to keep our engine box as we talk about in check.
"It does reduce the horsepower a little bit in the engine and bring it more within where we are with the other engines in the series."
One of the Camrys tested on NASCAR's chassis dyno was Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 99 driven by David Reutimann. Sources indicated Reutimann's car registered around 15 more horsepower than any other model.
Crew chief Jerry Baxter said the team took Reutimann's Nashville car to High Point, N.C. earlier this week as Toyota Racing Development officials worked with the new manifold. Baxter said the new engine package was close to the old one.
"[Reutimann] shouldn't be able to tell," Baxter said. "It's pretty close."
Toyota is in its first season in the Busch Series and is without a victory. But Toyota Tundras have swept all four truck races, with Mike Skinner winning the last three.
LEBANON, Tenn. - In a technical bulletin issued this week, NASCAR has ordered Toyota Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams to use a different intake manifold in an effort to "level the playing field" with other manufacturers.
The change does not affect the Nextel Cup Series.
Busch Series Director Joe Balash said NASCAR informed the teams of the switch during the test at Richmond International Raceway last week. The sanctioning body has been working with Toyota officials "for a while" as NASCAR conducted chassis dynamometer tests this season.
The manifold was declared legal before the season, but tests have shown it gives Toyota teams a horsepower advantage. The new intake reduces horsepower, Balash said.
"We looked at all the manifolds on all the cars," Balash said. "We looked at that particular manifold as something we can make a change with to keep our engine box as we talk about in check.
"It does reduce the horsepower a little bit in the engine and bring it more within where we are with the other engines in the series."
One of the Camrys tested on NASCAR's chassis dyno was Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 99 driven by David Reutimann. Sources indicated Reutimann's car registered around 15 more horsepower than any other model.
Crew chief Jerry Baxter said the team took Reutimann's Nashville car to High Point, N.C. earlier this week as Toyota Racing Development officials worked with the new manifold. Baxter said the new engine package was close to the old one.
"[Reutimann] shouldn't be able to tell," Baxter said. "It's pretty close."
Toyota is in its first season in the Busch Series and is without a victory. But Toyota Tundras have swept all four truck races, with Mike Skinner winning the last three.
