Rumors say NASCAR is strongly looking at putting minimum weight requirements on engine parts during the off season in the wake of the rush to lighter parts by several of the big budget teams. The rush started after Jeremy Mayfield and Rusty Wallace began using “legal”, but not “typical” engine parts like cam shafts and connecting rods. The teammates immediately began winning a large number of poles and running even more strongly than they had been. That is one reason for the open tear down of Wallace’s engine at Sonoma, following qualifying. More teams are looking to newer, lighter parts without too much regard for endurance, or cost. It should not surprise that 7 engines expired at Richmond. The event at Louden, complete with air-robbing restrictor plate, was expected to produce a record number of blown engines. That did not come about as engine builders went with the tried and true parts. To attempt to hold down ever escalating costs, NASCAR is contemplating introducing minimum weights for key engine parts following Atlanta(Inside Motorsports)(9-19-2000)
