NASCAR Approves New Ford Cylinder Heads

Jim Utter of The Charlotte Observer reports that NASCAR has approved Ford Motor Co.'s new cylinder head for competition in the Busch Series beginning in the 2005 season, officials confirmed Thursday.

The cylinder head was approved for use in Nextel Cup competition this season, but it took several months before Ford teams worked get the cylinder head performing up to speed.

Ben Leslie, interim field manager for Ford Racing, said he doesn't expect such problems in the Busch Series next season.

"From the Cup end of it we started from nothing. We had to do all the research and development for power and but also durability tests," Leslie said.

"We already have the lion's share of that done. Granted, the Busch cars are a little bit different. But as far as durability, we're a long ways down that road. Power-wise, we might have to tailor that because of the different carburetor, but we're not starting from scratch."

Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing combined forces this year to build Ford engines in Cup competition. Leslie said it was too early to tell if such an arrangement would take place in Busch as well.