The atmosphere around the NASCAR Drive Line Division at Jasper Engines & Transmissions (www.jasperengines.com) is charged with excitement as the 2008 racing season gets underway.
Twelve full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams, will utilize the JASPER 4-Speed transmission this year.
The Sprint Cup teams running the JASPER 4-Speed will be the three Dodge teams of Penske Racing (#2 driven by Kurt Busch, #12 driven by Ryan Newman and #77 driven by Sam Hornish Jr.), the three Toyota teams of Joe Gibbs Racing (#11 driven by Denny Hamlin, #18 driven by Kyle Busch and #20 driven by Tony Stewart), the three Toyota teams of Michael Waltrip Racing (#00 driven by David Ruetimann, #44 driven by Dale Jarrett and #55 driven by Michael Waltrip) and the three Dodge teams of Chip Ganassi Racing (#40 driven by Dario Franchitti, #41 driven by Reed Sorenson and #42 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya).
In the Craftsman Truck Series, the JASPER 4-Speed will be utilized by the Toyota Trucks of Wyler Racing (#60 driven by Richard Johns and #06 driven by Terry Cook).
Daytona testing for Sprint Cup teams held in January proved very successful for teams using the JASPER 4-Speed. Tests in Daytona had eight of the top 11 fastest qualifying teams using the JASPER transmission, including a Monday test session where five of the top six fastest cars had JASPER in their drive line.
JASPER NASCAR Drive Line Manager Terry DeKemper and his associates have put in extra hours preparing transmissions for all the teams, but he says the extra work will pay off. “It’s going to be good recognition for JASPER, as far as getting our name out and promoting the product line,” says DeKemper.
JASPER will look to capitalize on the successes of the 2007 Cup season with Juan Pablo Montoya taking the JASPER 4-Speed to victory (his first Cup victory) at Sonoma, CA, and Tony Stewart at Watkins Glen, NY. A total of eight Cup teams used the JASPER 4-Speed for a portion of the 2007 season.
2008 should also see the re-emergence of the JASPER Service Truck, which gives transmission support and service to teams at Sonoma and Watkins Glen.
Added DeKemper, “Other goals include working with additional teams to see if there’s an opportunity to place more of the JASPER 4-Speed Transmissions on the track.”
For additional information on products offered by Jasper, visit www.jasperengines.com.