Toyota Racing Development (TRD) has pinpointed faulty valve springs as the likely cause behind a series of engine failures plaguing their NASCAR Cup Series cars this season. According to TRD General Manager Tyler Gibbs, these issues have caused significant disruptions, including Martin Truex Jr.’s early exit from the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, marking the fifth engine failure for Toyota this year.
Earlier in the season, engines in Joe Gibbs Racing cars driven by Martin Truex Jr., Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs experienced similar failures before NASCAR’s two-week break. Following those incidents, TRD thoroughly inspected each engine, identified the problem, and believed it had been resolved. However, the recurrence of engine failure in Truex’s car at Richmond has raised concerns.
Gibbs noted that the engine issue in Truex’s car mirrored the failure Christopher Bell faced at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in June. The underlying problem appears to be inconsistencies in the quality of the valve springs supplied to Toyota.
In response, TRD dispatched a team from their Costa Mesa engine shop to implement tuning updates for the upcoming race at Michigan. Gibbs expressed confidence that these adjustments would enhance the durability of their engines and prevent further issues.
Reflecting on last season, Gibbs mentioned that Toyota experienced only one engine failure in 2023, underscoring how this year’s issues have fallen short of TRD’s standards. He emphasized that TRD takes full responsibility for the current situation and is committed to ensuring it does not happen again.
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