Full Throttle

In a move that should be more cost-saving to the industry and help enhance the inspection process, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will begin conducting its post-race engine tear-down at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.

“Along with cost savings, this will provide our officials and teams with the means to analyze the engines in a more controlled setting,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “We have been moving towards doing this in the past, and as the stakes continue to rise in our sport, we believe it’s the most effective way of doing things.”

As part of its post-race inspection, NASCAR typically tears down the engines of the event’s top-two finishers, in addition to a random car. The height and weight measurements, in addition to the shock and gear inspections, will still take place at the track following the race. Post-race inspection of the engines at the R&D Center will remain open for observation as it did at the race track.

Should any violations be discovered during the tear-down process, forthcoming penalties will be handled just as they have before through the NASCAR competition department.

My Two Centavos: What am I missing here, or more to the point, where are the savings going to come from?

The inspections are still conducted, on the same number of cars, with the single change being where there are done. I agree inspections held in a more controlled environment would be a good thing, presumably, but remain puzzled where it cuts any costs.

Excuse me as I don my “Hat of the Future:” Coming soon to a penalty appeals process near you.

“But commissioner, when that engine was pulled at the track it was within the 358 CI spec, we haven’t any clue why it tested as 410 CI in Concord! We demand a recount, and a close look inside the transporter used to haul our “legal” engine to North Carolina!” (”Motion DENIED,” said the head Kangaroo.

IN RELATED NEWS: Actually non-news, what’s been missing-in-action after 6 Sprint Cup events have been held?

Not a single penalty has been handed down to a Cup team. There’s been a couple in the truck and Nationwide series’ but nadda in Cup.

Call it the “Fear of the 100pt Deduction Effect.”