Hendrick Motorsports Endorses Victor Reinz(R) Gaskets, Perfect Circle(R) Rings
17 August 1998
Hendrick Motorsports Endorses Victor Reinz(R) Gaskets, Perfect Circle(R) RingsCHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 17 -- Hendrick Motorsports, one of the hottest teams in NASCAR racing today, has endorsed Dana Corporation's Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and Perfect Circle(R) piston rings. Hendrick's cars and drivers -- Jeff Gordon (#24), Terry Labonte (#5), and Ricky Craven (#50), plus Jack Sprague (#24) -- dominate NASCAR Winston Cup stock car and Craftsman truck racing, and stand a good chance of racking up yet another championship season. One of the keys to their winning ways is advanced, top quality piston rings and gaskets, according to Randy Dorton, head of engine development for Hendrick. "Running full bore with 700+ horsepower at 9,500 rpm for 500 miles demands gaskets and piston rings that perform flawlessly, and we have found Victor Reinz gaskets and Perfect Circle rings really do the job for us," Dorton said. The Hendrick team's endorsement of the Dana products involves technical cooperation between Hendrick engine developers and Perfect Circle and Victor Reinz engineers, in addition to other considerations. Hendrick drivers Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte have won the NASCAR Winston Cup championship for the past three years in a row, driving Chevrolet Monte Carlos. Jack Sprague is the defending champion in NASCAR's Craftsman truck series. "These are fine products that never let us down and help us keep our team highly competitive. It is a pleasure to endorse Victor Reinz and Perfect Circle gaskets and rings," Dorton said. Running 5.7-liter (358 cubic inch) engines at a 14:1 compression ratio, Hendrick engine builders use Victor Reinz Solicor(R) head gaskets, intake gaskets and exhaust gaskets, as well as Victor Reinz Performaseal(R) timing cover, differential and water pump gaskets, and special, thermostat and valve cover gaskets. They use Perfect Circle ring packs with molybdenum-filled nodular iron top rings, gray iron second rings, and three-piece oil rings with chrome-plated rails. "Whether they are running full-throttle in a NASCAR stock car or in a Dodge Viper at Le Mans, these Dana gaskets and piston rings are winners. It is a real honor to have a winning team such as Hendrick Motorsports endorse our products," said Tom Dattilo, Dana's vice president for sealing products and distribution. Perfect Circle and Victor Reinz are part of Dana Engine Components, one of seven Dana global strategic business units. Dana Engine Components provides advanced, synergistic, total systems solutions to engine builders and fluid systems parts design and sourcing, worldwide. Dana Engine Components combines the strength and capabilities of Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and sealing products, Perfect Circle(R) power cylinder and heavy duty camshafts, Fluid Systems products, and Plumley powertrain components. One of the world's largest independent suppliers to vehicular, off- highway, and industrial manufacturers and their related aftermarkets, Dana Corporation produces components used on more than 95 percent of the world's 650 million motor vehicles. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, the company operates 270 major facilities in 33 countries and employs more than 79,000 people. The company had pro forma sales of $11.9 billion in 1997. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com