Reduction in the size of hoses feeding air to a truck’s carburetor, in part, has cut speeds during this season’s test from 2002 levels. #1-Ted Musgrave sat on the Bud Pole a year ago with a speed of 187.215 – nearly five miles per hour faster than the best single lap speed recorded Saturday and Sunday. “For the big picture, it’s better,” said Hamilton. “NASCAR is fighting tooth and nail not to put restrictor plates on these things because the plate engines’ (cost is) so high. I applaud them for trying to do it in a cheap way.” The cost of the hoses – a pair of two-inch units instead of a single, three-inch hose under 2002 rules – is approximately $20 each. Hamilton estimated a horsepower reduction of 65.(Daytona International Speedway)(1-12-2003)
