One of our correspondents who has some ties with one of the Sprint Cup teams who use Hendrick Motorsports leased engines is reporting that all of the Hendrick Motorsports teams are experiencing lifter problems with their engines, and are contemplating engine changes for all teams.
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UPDATE @ 2:33 PM
It’s apparently something with cam shaft hitting lifter. John Darby has approved the engine changes.
UPDATE @ 2:37 PM
Changes in the 5, 24, 48 engines are being made now.
UPDATE @ 2:46 PM
This is obviously not a Hendrick problem, but RCR driver Clint Bowyer is having to do an engine change due to a broken push rod.
UPDATE @ 3:16 pm
There were 6 Hendrick Motorsports engines changed, they’re looking at lifters, a HMS group in Charlotte has started on a fix. They’re saying it’s not RPM-related.
UPDATE @ 3:47 pm
Engine problems pile up: #88-Earnhardt Jr. lost an engine midway thru the 2nd Wed practice at Daytona International Speedway and the team will change engines, then it was mentioned on SPEED’s coverage that all the Hendrick Motorsports cars #24-Gordon, #48-Johnson, Earnhardt and #5-Mears will change engines as there is some sort of lifter problem. #66-Riggs team is changing engines, also uses Hendrick engines and the other teams that run Hendrick engines are checking them out: #09-Marlin, #87-Wallace, #70-Mayfield and #78-Nemechek [not changing engines]. Also #07-Bowyer lost an engine and is changing their engine.
confirmed engine changes: #48-Johnson, #5-Mears, #24-Gordon, #66-Riggs, #96-Yeley, #07-Yeley and #88-Earnhardt Jr. that means these drivers have to fall to the rear of the pack before the drop of the green flag for the Gatorade Duel they are running. #84-Allmendinger’s team already changed engines over the past weekend. This does NOT effect where they start the Daytona 500. Team are allowed to change engines between the Duels and the Daytona 500.(2-13-2008)
Above update is courtesy of Stock Car Gazette editor Heather M. and www.Jayski.com.
