Motorhead Heaven - Great Moments in Motorsports

2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown

A single cross-threaded oil pan nut stood between Lanny Barnes and the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown record build time. Despite the minor oversight, Barnes and his Richard Childress Racing partner, Todd Hamm, defeated Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Motorsports in a closely matched race to capture the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown championship, Tuesday, May 25, at the NASCAR Technical Institute.

Lanny Barnes (left) & Todd Hamm

Barnes, whose previous best Showdown build time was 20 minutes, 29 seconds, appeared to shatter that time as well as Danny Lawrence’s Showdown record of 20 minutes, 26 seconds by firing up his engine in the 18 minute mark. Following the required minute run, Barnes’ clock read 19 minutes, 52 seconds — an astounding time cheered on by the nearly 1,500 fans in attendance.

Mike Maiwald (left)
Shane Parsnow

Maiwald was just seconds behind Barnes as he finished with an unofficial time of 20 minutes, 33 seconds. However, during the post-build inspection, the cross-threaded oil pan nut was discovered on Barnes’ engine, resulting in a one-minute penalty, preserving Lawrence’s Showdown record for another year. Barnes’ penalty didn’t benefit Maiwald, as he was also charged with a one-minute penalty for a loose intake manifold nut.

The official championship build time for Barnes’ was 20 minutes, 52 seconds, and 21 minutes, 33 seconds for Maiwald.

Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing, and Chad Knaus, crew chief of Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet of Hendrick Motorsports, served as the celebrity judges for Tuesday’s championship round.

Terry Shively, vice president and general manager of Clevite Engine Parts^®, presented Barnes and Hamm with trophies and a first place check for $20,000. Maiwald and Parsnow also received trophies and a $5,000 first runner-up check.

Following presentation of the $20,000 check, Richard Childress made an unexpected move, showering Lanny Barnes with water.

A one-hour feature on the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown program, including the 2004 championship round, can be seen this July on the Speed Channel. Be sure to check your local listings.

The Clevite Engine Builder Showdown began in 2000 and continues today as a tiered competition for engine builders in the NEXTEL Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, Grand National Busch North and Grand National West racing series. The competition has a total prize package worth more than $50,000 and has become one of the premier honors in the world of engine building.

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