NASCAR to use unleadad fuel in 2008

[Rascal]

http://sports.iwon.com/news/01202006/v5980.html

[SportscarBruce]

I find it not coincidental that this NASCAR press release was issued the very day after a very troubling report surfaced, a report which revealed high concentrations of lead in the immediate atmosphere at events and in the bloodstream of pit crews. Interesting is the statement that the Grand Am series provided their umbrella organization a testbed of sorts, or a means of exposure to unleaded fuels (no pun intended). Unleaded fuels have been around since the mid-70, the hazards of lead absorbtion are no secret and IMO the technology and data necessary to make the change has been around long before Grand Am appeared. I believe this delayed implementation doesn't reflect on the engineering side of NASCAR but the business side. NASCAR engineers attend seminars that bring together counterparts from all walks of motorsports and also have at their disposal this thing called the internet which facillitates communication and knowledge gathering. If five or more years ago the series leadership had simply put forth to their engineering braintrust the objective of researching and implementing modifications necessary to the fuel systems and engines of Cup racing this would not be an issue today.

Me thinks a reluctance to change , an underlying culture of isolationism, and a focus towards the show and marketing aspects at the expense of the technical is at fault here. If a large number of past or present team employees, series employees who worked in the hot pits, and possibly loyal fans who attended years of races multiple times a season, if all these people start showing up at doctor offices for evaluation or release of medical records and bring them to a law firm....

[jdessar]

I have been to more then a few NASCAR races.

ANd fiNe Am i.

[SamC]

NASCAR has issued PR that unleaded was coming in "two or three years" since the 1970s. But it always backs away quietly and never gets it done.

[fivehundred2go]

what would happen IF they decided to use the same fuel as the IRL in 2007 -THEY WOULD BE BACK TO THEIR ROOTS or so to say.

[rlm]

NASCAR engineers??

Where, how many and since when?

Last I knew there was only one graduate engineer employed by NASCAR and he drives the pace car.

Of course they can, and do, go to outside firms for advise (or so I've been told) on subjects such as the use of leaded fuels, soft walls, head and neck restraints, etc.
But it seems that has always been a reaction; something to make the company look good for all the fans and all the critics. Usually after the fact of an acidental injury or fatality.

[Rascal]

what would happen IF they decided to use the same fuel as the IRL in 2007

It doesn't make much sense to me for ANY racing series to use a fuel that requires the energy equivalent of 1.3 gallons of gasoline to make 1 gallon of said fuel.

NASCAR is moving to unleaded fuel in 2008. I see it as a positive move, regardless of the timing.