| There is a lot of talk about NASCAR changing from | | | | engines during the race. But the interesting thing is |
| leaded fuel to unleaded. The long term plan was that | | | | that the drivers aren't complaining about the switch |
| unleaded fuel was going to be introduced to the | | | | like they did with the Car of Tomorrow. They aren't |
| Nextel Cup Series in 2008. Why the change in plans? | | | | fighting it at all. Maybe they knew it was inevitable. |
| For those of us who are not engineers, leaded fuel | | | | We can only put so much exhaust in the air before |
| gives more lubrication and "padding" to the engine. | | | | we get to the point that the damage is irreversible. |
| This cushions the engines and valves and lessens the | | | | Except for the season opening race at Daytona, |
| chances of the engine burning up. Using average | | | | unleaded fuel will be used in all of the races during the |
| unleaded fuel will kill the engine on a NASCAR racecar. | | | | 2007 season. The possible motivation for the moved |
| For several years now NASCAR has been working | | | | up timeline to phase in the unleaded fuel could be |
| with their fuel supplier, Sunoco, to develop a special | | | | pressure. |
| unleaded fuel that will be kinder to the Cup car | | | | An environmental activist group has requested that |
| engines. This is not a new or spur of the moment | | | | the Environmental Protection Agency investigate lead |
| decision. Because every decision within NASCAR | | | | levels in the air on and around racetracks. This activist |
| affects so many people, much time and research | | | | group alleges that innocent bystanders, such as |
| goes into every change of rules and policies. | | | | homeowners that live near racetracks, are in danger |
| The Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch series | | | | without even realizing it. |
| have been using unleaded fuel for about six months | | | | NASCAR is trying so hard to shake off the country |
| now. The reason NASCAR began with those series is | | | | boy image and adopt a more sophisticated persona. |
| that their races are 300 miles. The Nextel Cup race in | | | | It definitely looks good for them to be concerned |
| California is 500 miles. It's the last 200 miles for the | | | | with the environment and the health of their fans. |
| engine that has people concerned. | | | | But whatever the reason for the expedited |
| The first race using unleaded fuel proved that it was | | | | introduction to unleaded fuel, NASCAR has done a |
| indeed an issue with several teams losing their | | | | good thing and once again we are made proud. |