Gordon - DuPont

As NASCAR racing has become more sophisticated, taking the checkered flag depends more and more on thesmallest of details, points out Randy Dorton, director of the HMS engine program. “Much of our R&D effort nowgoes into adaptingtechnology so wecan find thoseelusive hundredthsof a second that addup to wins.“For example, whilewe were looking fora new material forengine bearingapplications, welearned that DuPontTM Vespel ®polyimide resin isused to make thrustwashers in anAllison transmissionthat’s standardequipment on someGM vehicles. Thisproduction useimmediately gave usAll #24 cars are painted with DuPont ChromaPremier ® from DuPont Automotive Finishes.confidence to try itin our bearingapplication. We’ve since replaced needle bearings in the rocker area with Vespel ® parts and trimmed weight in theprocess. The strength of Vespel ® allows us to get good pivoting and still use less metal in the rocker area.”And because the Vespel ® needs only slight lubrication, less oil has to be pumped to that part of the engine. Thatmeans the horsepower required to pump the oil can be used instead to power the car.Each car starts with a roll cage built to NASCAR specifications. After years of aerodynamic scrutiny of the visible portions of the car, HendrickMotorsports is testing new underbody configurations to improve handling and gain speed, according to Eddie Dickerson, director of chassisengineering.