Reutimann finishes 36th at Chicagoland Speedway after late-race engine failure

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David Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team finished 36th in Sunday’s Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, September 15.  The afternoon race became a night race when rain showers soaked the 1.5-mile speedway in Joliet, Ill., and cooler temperatures put extra stress on engines to result in multiple failures across all manufacturers.  Nearing lap 200, a broken valve spring resulted in an engine failure and a 36th-place result for Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team.  

 

Discussion regarding excess tire wear on the right rear tire was common throughout the Sprint Cup Series garage during the weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.  Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team were no exception to the conversation, and the excess wear left the team fighting a loose race car during the opening portion of the event. 

 

Just past lap 100, the skies opened and rain soaked the racing surface.  According to the NASCAR rulebook, a race can be deemed official as long as competitors have completed at least half of the scheduled distance.  When the red flag was displayed just 25 laps short of the halfway point, drivers and teams settled in for a long rain delay.  Over five hours passed as the storm moved through the area and track officials worked to dry the racing surface.  Determined to finish the event, the field returned to green-flag racing around 10 p.m. EDT. 

 

Now competing in a night race, teams had several challenges to overcome.  In addition to adjusting the balance of their cars, the cooling air and track temperatures put extra stress on the engines as they were forced to turn additional RPMs.  Reutimann and his No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team worked diligently to tighten the handling of their car as the night progressed.  With the car handling well, Reutimann was racing in the lucky dog position when he noticed something amiss with the engine.  A broken valve spring caused excess strain on the motor and resulted in the engine failing just prior to lap 200. Unable to continue the event, Reutimann was scored with a 36th-place finish. 

 

“What a crazy day we had at Chicagoland Speedway,” commented Reutimann.  “Our No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team stuck with it all day.  We had two completely different sets of track conditions racing around 110 laps during the afternoon, and another 155 laps at night.  You could tell the strain that the changing track conditions put on the motors with how many teams experienced engine failure across all the manufacturers.  It’s unfortunate that we also experienced that, but with the circumstances of the day, there wasn’t anything we could do to change it.  I’m looking forward to getting back to New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  I feel like our team has built good race cars this year, we just need to be able to put the whole package together and have luck on our side-hopefully we’re able to do that in the final nine races of the season.”

 

BK Racing PR

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