BLOG: Better tires are part of engine problems

Goodyear just can’t catch a break. Outside of a pre-race issue at Daytona, the tire manufacturer obviously has done an improved job of matching the new Sprint Cup car with better tire compounds. However, several NASCAR gear heads are saying the better tires are at least in part to blame for the rash of engine failures we’ve seen through three races.

Yates Racing owner and renowned engine builder Doug Yates believes that’s part of the problem. He also says a higher gear ratio at Las Vegas last week was the bigger culprit. Along with the better tire and better engine development, Yates said teams were turning RPMs that reached just under 10,000, causing several engine failures.

“It’s the same engine package as we had last year, and we were already past its limits,” Yates said. “If you go back to the track with 15 more horsepower and a better tire, that puts you in line for more failures.”

Roush Feneway Racing had three failures at Vegas, equaling its number for all of 2008. Hendrick Motorsports had two at California and one last week, while the Toyota teams have made it a habit of changing engines before races. The culprit there, engineers say, is the oil pump. Teams are reverting back to the pump used on motors last season.

Dodge teams are trying to work in a new engine this year. Penske Racing has used the new motor with little trouble so far, but officials admit they’re far from pushing the motor to its limits yet.

Teams will adjust to the problems, though Sunday’s race at Atlanta’s fast track figures to be a severe test of engine reliability. Expect teams to spend a good part of practice sessions this weekend gauging RPMs.