SPOTLIGHT
Photos by Dwight Drum Web work by Larsen & Drum
Big Machines
Haas Automation
Haas Automation Offers a Machine Tool that is a Cut Above All Others
Limited Edition VF-2SS VMC Incorporates the Speed and Skill of Tony Stewart
Haas Automation, the largest machine tool builder in the western world and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing along with two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, has created a limited edition VF-2SS VMC that incorporates the speed and skill of Stewart and his No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS.
The VF-2SS is a 7,300-pound CNC mill that with a 12,000 rpm inline direct-drive spindle, shapes blocks of metal into exquisite pieces of practical equipment, from cylinder heads and engine blocks to lightweight brackets and other made-to-order parts.
The limited-edition piece created to celebrate the partnership between Haas Automation, Gene Haas and Stewart is adorned in the same bright red and accented racing stripes as Stewart’s No. 14 Chevy. To complete the look, the Stewart-Haas Racing logo is etched in stainless steel below the machine’s control pendant.
All 75 of the specially designed machines feature an engraved and numbered plaque personally signed by Stewart, and it comes with a certificate of authenticity. Haas Automation will also donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale to charity via the Gene Haas Foundation (www.ghaasfoundation.org). This is the first time in the company’s 26-year history that Haas Automation has designed and built a special-edition machine tool, and these unique machines can only be purchased through an authorized Haas Factory Outlet.
“The Tony Stewart VF-2SS provides legendary Haas performance in a great looking, race-inspired package,” said Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation. “Each machine also comes equipped with a programmable coolant nozzle, 300 psi through-tool coolant and an automatic chip auger. And best of all, it’s designed and built right here in America.”
“I’ve seen a lot of special edition items that have incorporated the paint schemes of my racecars, but I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s impressive,” said Stewart, who recently delivered the first point-paying Sprint Cup win for Stewart-Haas Racing when he took the checkered flag June 7 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. “The equipment Haas Automation builds is one of the main reasons our race team has been so successful. The parts and pieces we use are of the highest quality, mainly because they’re made with best machine tools in the business. That you can get one in the same design as my No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet makes this version stand out from all the others.”
About Stewart-Haas Racing:
Stewart-Haas Racing is the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team co-owned by two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Haas Automation, the largest CNC machine tool builder in the western world. The team fields two entries in the elite Sprint Cup Series – the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS for Stewart and the No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala SS for 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman. Based in Kannapolis, N.C., Stewart-Haas Racing operates out of a 140,000-square-foot shop with more than 150 employees. For more information, please visit www.StewartHaasRacing.com.
About Haas Automation:
Haas Automation, Inc., is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. Founded by Gene Haas in 1983, Haas Automation manufactures a complete line of CNC vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes and rotary equipment. All Haas products are built in the company’s one million square-foot manufacturing facility in Oxnard, Calif., and distributed through a worldwide network of Haas Factory Outlets that provides the industry’s best sales, service and support while offering unparalleled cost-to-performance value. For more information, please visit www.HaasCNC.com.
About the Gene Haas Foundation:
The Gene Haas Foundation was formed in 1999 to fund the needs of the local community and other deserving charities, at the discretion of its founder, Mr. Gene Haas. Of special importance to the Gene Haas Foundation are children’s charities and organizations that feed the poor, especially within the local community of Ventura County, Calif. In addition, the Gene Haas Foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs. For more information, please visit www.ghaasfoundation.org.
New Boss Engine
Ford Racing introduces new 351 block
Ford Racing follows the Boss 302 block released in 2006, with the new Boss 351 featuring performance and packaging that will accommodate displacements from 351 to over 460 cubic inches.
“Whether they’re racing in a sealed-engine class, building an all-out drag racing engine, or looking for a street performer, the Boss 351 block meets the needs of all Ford 351 enthusiasts, at a price comparable with a performance-prepped stock block,” Wolfe added.
The Boss 351 block is based on Windsor 351 architecture with a Cleveland sized 2.75" main bearing journal. Available in two deck heights, 9.2-inch and 9.5-inch, the Boss 351 is designed for performance with 4-bolt main caps, and screw-in freeze plugs. Technological improvements such as splayed main bolts, siamese bores with engineered coolant cross-drilling, front cross-over lifter oiling, and diesel-grade iron with 41,000 psi tensile strength separate the new Boss 351 from both stock and aftermarket blocks.
Max stroke is up to 4.25" depending on crankshaft manufacturer with max bore size topping out at 4.125" with coolant cross drilling. A non cross-drilled block with increased bore capacity will be available by 3rd quarter.
The new Boss 351 is built from all new tooling and incorporates technical developments compiled by Ford Racing engineers and racers. This new block is expected to see wide use in circle-track racing, from NASCAR Late Models to Dirt Modifieds and Late Models.
“Enthusiasts are making big power, 600, even 700 hp, the Boss 351 meets their demand for a reliable, high power foundation.” says Wolfe. “Race-specific blocks offer the strength required, but cool poorly for street use and are very expensive for the average enthusiast. The new Boss 351 block features greater strength than most race blocks, a street-capable cooling design, and affordable pricing due to high-volume production. High-volume production also leads to the improved quality and durability you would expect from any Ford block.”
Affordably priced to get enthusiasts’ hearts pumping, suggested retail price for the Boss 351 block is $1,999. A Boss 351-based crate engine with 427cid is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information on these engines and other Ford Racing Performance Parts, visit: www.fordracingparts.com.
Disclaimer: NASCAR® is a registered trademark owned and controlled by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. Nextel Cup is a registered trademark. The operators of this site are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NASCAR organization. The Official NASCAR® website is NASCAR ONLINE® at: www.nascar.com.