NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton says that the sanctioning body is on target for introducing fuel injection systems to Sprint Cup racing for 2011. He added that NASCAR is also close to finalizing its plans for the use of ethanol-blended fuel.
"We're still looking at the fuel and what ratio, percentage that we will use when we get there. That has not been locked down yet," Pemberton said. "We're still working with the teams and engine engineers. The fuel injection is – I would say it's close to on target, and we've had some changes in the last 90 days, 120 days. Really, it's about trying to get a level playing field for everybody.
"We've set out some parameters, come back, met with the teams and made some changes, and they're off testing. We should have some more answers probably in the next 21 days or so. But I'd say we're on target hopefully for early 2011 – but it remains to be seen. We can't do it and screw things up. But things are moving along pretty nicely right now.
Pemberton said that while NASCAR was attempting to have both greener fuel and fuel injection in place by next year, competition requirements would trump any timetable.
"Our goal, when we set out, everything was to happen in 2011, and where we land with the percentage of ethanol has not been determined yet," he said. "But we have teams that have been running on the dynos with some 10, E10 and E15 and all the way up to E30. But for the most part it's been E10 and E15. We'll let you know when we come to that. Right now there's a lot of work, so I can't sit here and put a date to it. That will be detrimental to the sport in general, so we're still working at it."