Toyota engine problem costly to Busch, others
Kyle Busch will lead a backward parade of Toyotas during the start of the Shelby 427 Sprint Cup race today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Busch, who won the pole Friday, and Toyotas driven by Brian Vickers, Scott Speed, David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose will be sent to the rear of the 43-car field to begin the 1:30 p.m. race.
The Toyota engine problems here overlapped from last week’s Cup event at Fontana, Calif. The trouble appeared to be related to lubricants and cooling in the engines built by Toyota Racing Development at its factory in Costa Mesa, Calif., according to TRD president Lee White.
Vickers won the pole last week, but was sent to the rear along with fellow Toyota driver Michael Waltrip.
“We came here and thought we had a handle on it,” White said. “We didn’t. We made it worse.”
The affected Toyotas appeared to be in good shape after being inspected following Saturday’s final practice.
“We’re going to use a heavier lubrication and not try to squeeze every ounce of horsepower out of them,” said White, who estimated the difference will be between four and five horsepower.
“Four or five horsepower is not insignificant in this league,” he said. “No driver in the world would give it up willingly. But every team … needs to get to the end. Our goal is to give them the best shot.”
• GAUGHAN SEVENTH — Nationwide Series rookie Brendan Gaughan placed seventh for Rusty Wallace Racing in the Sam’s Town 300. That moved the Las Vegas native to fourth place in the season standings after three races.
It was a trying but successful weekend for Gaughan.
He crashed his primary car in Friday’s last practice and spun twice — once on pit road — but salvaged his second straight top-10 finish.
• JOHNSON FASTEST — Three-time reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson was fastest in the final Cup practice. He won three consecutive Cup races at Las Vegas from 2005 to 2007.
Following on the time sheet were Jeff Gordon, Sam Hornish Jr., Kurt Busch and Mark Martin. Defending race winner Carl Edwards was ninth fastest.
