NASCAR plans carb-free diet in ’12

NASCAR announced Friday that it plans to switch its Sprint Cup cars from carburetors to fuel injection in 2012.

I hate to see carbs get choked out, but when is the last time you bought a new car with a carburetor? They’ve been mixing fuel in NASCAR since 1949.

“The fuel injection system will bring increased technology and efficiency to the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars while at the same time complementing the car’s high performance,” NASCAR said in a news release.

“This announcement marks the most significant strategic change to NASCAR’s engine platform in decades.”

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition, explains, “This move gives us an additional opportunity to incorporate the best technology in our race cars that will enhance the sport in a variety of ways.

“This is a positive step that will provide greater fuel efficiency and a greener footprint while maintaining the same great competition we have seen on the race track.”

More to come including comments from team owners and crew chiefs.