CONCORD, N.C. – After two days of competition, Hendrick Motorsports engineer John Boydston and Hendrick Automotive Group technician Dave Frey took home the title in the 20th annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown.
The duo clocked in a build time of 23 minutes and 9 seconds, beating out 11 other teams to win the showdown. However, they did receive a 30 second time penalty for having a loose component on their engine. The runner-up team of Danny Emerick and Shane Flake clocked in a time of 23 minutes and 35 seconds with two 30 second penalties for loose components.
To qualify for the final matchup, 12 teams consisting of one Hendrick Motorsports engineer and one Hendrick Automotive Group technician joined forces to build a Chevrolet R07 race engine, assembling 243 parts as quickly and precisely as possible. The two teams that competed in the championship round were put head-to-head in the final assembly and had to build the same engine and have it run for 60 consecutive seconds.
Kyle Larson, the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, was on hand for his first Engine Builder Showdown as the competitors raced the clock to build their engines.
“That was so fun to watch,” Larson said. “It is crazy how it takes 23 to 24 minutes, but it feels like it takes two and a half minutes. It’s high pace, high stress, and the teamwork between the two individuals is something to see.”
Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, was also watching on as the Hendrick teammates raced the clock to build the Chevrolet race engine. Daniels, who also was involved in the Engine Builder Showdown for the first time, felt the comradery as the Hendrick teammates worked in collaboration to become the fastest engine assemblers in the competition.
“Seeing all the different aspects of the Hendrick family be together and have a competition that is supposed to be friendly competition, but they are all intense competitors,” Daniels said. “Everybody going for the big prize is really cool because I feel like this year more than ever, the Hendrick family is so connected from having the Hendrick Automotive Group on our No. 5 Chevrolet all year long.”
“To see everybody in here competing, having a good time, laughing and joking around, and seeing Mr. (Rick) Hendrick here being a part of it was so cool.”
To get the full results and watch highlights of the 20th annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown, click here.