The 11th Annual MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown – hosted by NASCAR personalities Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds – will be held in uptown Charlotte, NC, on Thursday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. The competition will take place during "NASCAR Rev’d Up," an event during NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week, on the side stage between 3rd and Mint Streets.
The MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown is a tiered, three-round competition designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and speed of professional engine builders who assemble special performance engines for NASCAR teams. Former NASCAR crew chiefs Hammond and McReynolds will be calling the action for the second consecutive year. With their extensive engine building knowledge, both will feel right at home alongside the sport’s top engine builders.
For the second year since the MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown’s inception, engine builders will compete in a fierce neck-and-neck race against the clock to build a complete Chevrolet R07 race engine in the fastest time and successfully run it for one minute.
The three-time MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown champions, Dennis Borem and Darrel Hoffman of Pro Motor Engines, will be in attendance as honorary guests.
The first two elimination rounds will take place at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) in Mooresville, NC, on Monday and Tuesday, May 17-18. The two fastest teams will face off against each other in the championship event at "NASCAR Rev’d Up" Thursday to win the Showdown’s grand prize – the prestigious Randy Dorton Memorial trophy and a cash award.
"The MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown is always an exciting event to watch, and gives us all a greater appreciation for the talents of these outstanding NASCAR engine builders" said Bill McKnight, Team Leader – Training for MAHLE Clevite. "Last year, we saw the closest finish in the 10-year history of the Showdown, where the champions edged out the competition by a mere 17 seconds. It will be interesting to see what team will step in to win the title and become the 2010 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown champion."
For the second consecutive year, the 2010 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown will share the spotlight with "NASCAR Rev’d Up," a kick-off event to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Week. The six-hour, fan-friendly event on Thursday, May 20 from 4 -10 p.m. in uptown Charlotte features driver appearances, show cars and interactive displays, and a free-admission concert featuring North Carolina-based group, Paper Tongues, and headlining bands Switchfoot and Parachute.
"We’re enthusiastic about the 11th Annual Engine Builder Showdown being part of ‘Rev’d Up’ again this year," said Ted Hughes, marketing, team leader – program development for MAHLE Clevite. "While the NASCAR Rev’d Up event is getting NASCAR fans excited for Sprint All-Star week, we’ll be doing our part to recognize the hard work and dedication of the professional engine builders of NASCAR teams."
MAHLE Clevite is an exclusive NASCAR Performance Partner for engine parts such as gaskets, bearings and piston rings. In addition, MAHLE Clevite is a sponsor within the NASCAR Prize Money and Decal Program in all domestic and international series.
