Build Record Set at Round One of 2005 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown

Richard Childress Racing played host to Clevite Engine Parts and 16 of NASCAR’s top engine builders on January 5 and 6 in Welcome, NC, during the qualifying round of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. Round one was a record-setting day for Hendrick Engines. Mike Maiwald of Hendrick Engines, a longtime Showdown participant and last year’s runner-up, set a new engine build record along with his build partner Shane Parsnow. The former record of 20 minutes and 26 seconds (held by Danny Lawrence of Richard Childress Racing) was unseated with Maiwald’s new record setting build time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Richard Childress Racing played host to Clevite Engine Parts and 16 of NASCAR’s top engine builders on January 5 and 6 in Welcome, NC, during the qualifying round of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. Round one was a record-setting day for Hendrick Engines.

Mike Maiwald of Hendrick Engines, a longtime Showdown participant and last year’s runner-up, set a new engine build record along with his build partner Shane Parsnow. The former record of 20 minutes and 26 seconds (held by Danny Lawrence of Richard Childress Racing) was unseated with Maiwald’s new record setting build time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.

“Our participation in this year’s Showdown means a lot to us because the trophy now bears Randy Dorton’s name,” said Maiwald. “We want that trophy in our engine shop and that’s our biggest motivator.”

The competing engine builders assembled 357 cubic inch Ford engines – similar in design to those used by NASCAR’s Ford race teams. The first round of the Showdown served as a qualifying round, with the eight fastest times advancing to Round 2. Each participating engine builder received a commemorative plaque and $300. The eight fastest times also received a cash award of $1,000 and will advance to the second round of competition.

Those builders and their times are as follows:

* Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow, Hendrick Engines – 20:20

* Lanny Barnes and Todd Hamm, Richard Childress Racing – 20:36

* Randy Hewitt and Mike Cash, Roush/Yates Engines – 23:22

* Danny Lawrence and Greg Gunnell, Richard Childress Racing – 23:56

* Paul Vanderlaan and Shawn Hughesman, Evernham Engines – 24:36

* Mike Lanci and Jesse Hardee, Ernie Elliott Engines – 24:56

* Tom Karas and Kevin Webber, Hendrick Engines – 26:11

* Ken Swanson and Robert Scott, Bill Davis Racing – 27:09

Round 2 will be held in Daytona during Preseason Thunder, January 19 and 22. The winners of Round 2 will receive cash awards of $1,500 and will proceed to Round 3, which awards $2,000 to each winning engine builder. After Round Three, the Championship will be held on May 24, and will take place at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) in Mooresvile, N.C. The final round’s runner-up will receive a cash award of $5,000. The first-place winner will receive a cash award of $20,000 and the title of 2005 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown 2005 Champion. The winning team will also be immortalized alongside past Showdown Champions on the new Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy.

Race fans and engine building enthusiasts will be able to check the results of the various rounds by going to the Clevite Engine Parts web site at www.engineparts.com. Showdown fans will also be able to view highlights of the Showdown on the Speed Channel.

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