What will be the impact of NASCAR’s spec engine program?
New to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this year is the introduction of NASCAR’s spec engine program. Already in place in the NASCAR’s developmental series south of the border in the United States, the Canadian teams now have the opportunity to utilize the cost-effective motor. Both 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series champions – Matt Kobyluck (East) and Eric Holmes (West) – ran cars powered by the spec motor. In a test session earlier this month at Delaware Speedway, Kerry Micks, with a spec engine under the hood, laid down the fastest lap of the 12 cars in attendance. Certainly, there will be a learning curve for the teams making the jump to the new program, but it should balance the advantage some of the more established teams which have devoted loads of time and resources to their own engine programs. Can the NASCAR-developed spec motor, a proven commodity, from both a financial and performance standpoint, make the same difference as it has in the U.S.? Who can handle the meat of the
