IRL engines won’t change much

The IRL's Brian Barnhart said the engines that will be "new" for 2007 figure to have many of the same features used in the current engines, albeit with some cost-saving adjustments. "Everyone seems to forget that status quo, with slight modifications to lower costs, is a very good option," Barnhart said. "Our engines, chassis and gearboxes have run like clockwork, and the reliability of the engine is one of the most cost-saving things we've got." IRL officials were scheduled to meet with GM today in an attempt to bring it back in 2006. Barnhart said the rules package won't be announced before next month, in part because the league is in the middle of a stretch that includes eight races in 10 weeks. Indy Star