Extreme Makeover: Engine Edition

Ahhh … There’s nothing like the screaming, eardrum-popping sound of engine-change day.

Even the untrained ear can tell big things are happening here in the Daytona garage. In stall No. 2 sits Red Bull Racing Team’s No. 83, and it’s quite a different automobile compared to the piece Brian Vickers drove in Thursday’s qualifying race.

Already changed is the 850-horsepower TRD motor, a luxury NASCAR affords all teams because of the abuse, stress and general nastiness engines endured during previous practices and the Duel’s 150 miles. They are fired, re-fired and revved to point where making small talk 50 yards away is nearly impossible. Also changed is the transmission and rear end.

“It’s open game at the moment,” car chief Craig Smokstad said.

Today’s one and only practice begins at 1:40 p.m. ET, not long before Vickers hops into Braun Racing’s No. 10 Nationwide Series car for two laps of qualifying.