NortherLight IRL/Trucks: Texas Truck race winner powered by IRL guru Meyer
15 October 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Butch Meyer, the engine builder for Team Menard, isnt one to pat himself on the back when driver Greg Ray blasts off to an awesome pole position qualifying run, which the native Texan did Saturday for the Indy Racing Northern Light Series Excite 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway.
But he couldnt help doing a little bragging for himself and his helpers after driver Bryan Reffner won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday at Texas, driving for team owner John Menard. Reffner also set a track record in capturing the pole for the race.
"John Menard called a week ago and told us to put together a motor for him," Meyer said of Reffners engine. "I had never built one.
"We couldnt believe it," he continued about Reffners success. "Ive beenworking on Indy car engines with fuel injections. There are carburetors onthe (355 Chevrolet) truck engines."
NASCAR officials were so shocked by the power of Reffners engine that they ordered it torn down to the short block, as Meyer put it. They found nothing illegal.
"They were good to us," Meyer said. "It was fun to work with NASCAR."
Reffner will race in the finale at Fontana, Calif., and Meyer said he and his crew will work further on the engine and try to make the truck even faster.
Menard will move the engine building for Reffner, as well as for Menards son Paul, to his Indianapolis shop for next season. Paul Menard races in the NASCAR ReMax series.
This is Menards first full year competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Reffner is the driver and team manager.
Text Provided By Paul Kelly
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