NASCAR to change gear ratio for Vegas

Word is that NASCAR is considering an adjustment on the gear rule for Las Vegas next season to prevent the engine failures that plagued numerous Sprint Cup teams last weekend. Roush Fenway Racing lost three engines on Sunday, equaling the number of engines the team lost all of last season. Doug Yates, who oversees the Roush-Yates engine program, said the situation could have been avoided had there been a more conservative gear ratio that would have reduced rpms that were much higher than expected with the new tire and improved horsepower. He said weather conditions — only 15% humidity — also may have contributed to the failures, but we here at AR1.com think Goodyear is to blame. For once they brought a good tire and it was faster that most anticipated which meant the cars were capable of carrying more RPM.