New R6P8 engine to power Kahne at Dover

Posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 8:45 AM EDT.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to short-track racing this weekend as Dover (Del.) International Speedway plays host to the Autism Speaks 400.

Known as “The Monster Mile,” Dover is a symmetrically perfect one-mile oval that requires patience, durability and endurance for the 43 drivers who will take the green flag on Sunday afternoon. All seven Dodge teams entered sit inside the top-35 of owner points and are automatically qualified for the 400 lap event.
 
Dodge has garnered five “Monster Mile” wins and seven of the last 11 pole positions, including the track qualifying record set in 2004 (Jeremy Mayfield—162.552 mph).
 
Kasey Kahne(No. 9 Budweiser Dodge Charger) hopes to use the momentum gained via his seventh-place finish last weekend at Lowe’s to spring board his Budweiser Dodge team closer to the coveted top-12 in driver standings. Kahne, who currently sits in 15th position, will debut the Dodge R6P8 racing engine for Richard Petty Motorsports this weekend.

Introduced last fall by Penske Racing, the high-engineered Cup racing engine has been used in all non-restrictor plate races this season by Penske. Known for its lighter weight and low-end torque, Kahne believes the timing is right for the R6P8 engine to be under the hood of his Dodge Charger.
 
“From everything that I’ve seen from Kurt’s (Busch) car, I’m really excited to get the R6 in our Budweiser Dodge,” Kahne said. Dover is a place that really puts an emphasis on getting power to the ground coming out of the corners. I think the new R6 will definitely give us a performance advantage if we can get all that power to the ground.”
 
Richard Petty Motorsports’ Elliott Sadler (No. 19 Stanley Dodge Charger) heads to Dover with more than racing on his mind.
 
Sadler’s niece, Halie Dru, was diagnosed with autism at age 2 and now Sadler, through the work of the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation, spends a great deal of time and energy each season raising money and awareness for autism related charities. Sadler currently sits 28th in driver point standings and has recorded a personal best of sixth at Dover.
 
“I’ve always enjoyed coming to Dover and race,” Sadler said. “Dover’s a fast, one-mile bull ring that really keeps you busy inside the car. Add the fact that the speedway has taken on the fight to further pursue and promote the battle against autism makes this race even more special to me and my family.”
 
Other notes
•        Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger) remains the highest-ranked Dodge sitting third in driver points. Busch made his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Dover in 2000
•        AJ Allmendinger(No. 44 Hunt Brothers Dodge Charger) has one top-five and two top-10s in 12 starts this season. Allmendinger started eighth here last season
•        David Stremme(No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge Charger) moved up one spot in the driver point standings last weekend to 26th. Stremme is only 80 points outside of the top 20
•        Reed Sorenson (No. 43 Air Force Dodge Charger) has a career-best Dover finish of 11th in 2006
•        Sam Hornish Jr.(No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger) makes his third Dover start this weekend. Hornish has earned three top 20 finishes in the last five races. Hornish captured his first NASCAR victory by winning the non-points Sprint Showdown two weeks ago
 
Autism 400 fast facts
What: Autism Speaks 400
When: Sunday, May 31, 2:15 p.m.
Where: Dover International Speedway
Distance: 400 laps/400 miles
Television: Fox, 1:30 p.m.
Past Champ: Kyle Busch

This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 8:45 AM EDT and is filed under Dodge, Motorsports. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments are currently closed.