Kyle Busch (18) and Paul Menard battle for position early at Michigan. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images.
It wasn’t easy, but Team Interstate‘s Kyle Busch and his No. 18 M&M’s/Interstate Batteries Toyota race team put in hard-working team effort Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway.
Denny Hamlin celebrated his first Father’s Day with daughter Taylor James.Copyright 2013 Autostock Images
Busch and crew chief Dave Rogers overcame an early race pit road penalty and chipped away little by little all race long with a very loose-handling racecar. The result was a solid fourth-place finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 on Sunday, his seventh top-five of the season.
Busch’s Team Interstate companions – Matt Kenseth in the No. 20 Toyota Camry and Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota Camry – finished sixth and 30th, respectively. Greg Biffle won the race.
Denny, JGR Pay Tribute to Leffler
Denny Hamlin requested a throwback paint scheme to honor former JGR teammate Jason Leffler. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images
Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin paid tribute to former Sprint Cup driver Jason Leffler on Sunday. Leffler died from a neck injury suffered in a crash in a sprint-car race last week. He was the first driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota in 2005. Hamlin said he wanted to honor his late friend by running the car’s original paint scheme. JGR’s decal team rewrapped the car after Saturday’s practice. Read more
Other Team Interstate Results
Mike Edwards warms up at Bristol. Photo via mikeedwardsmotorsports.com.
This week: NASCAR goes back on the road (course). The Sprint Cup Series visits Sonoma Raceway in California’s Wine Country, while the Nationwide Series competes at Road America in Elkhart Lakes, Wis. The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross series travels to Mechanicsville, Md., and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series goes to Epping, N.H.
A few years ago, a vehicle’s cranking cycle demanded a longer duration (5-15 seconds). Carbureted engines would often require multiple hits of the accelerator to get things started.
Once you started the vehicle, there were only a few electronic accessories that needed to draw power, and there was virtually nothing to drain the battery when the key was off. Under-hood temperatures were lower, and the battery didn’t operate as hot (in high-heat areas) compared to many of today’s vehicles.
Depending on the amount of years we go back, the engine oils could have been straight weights like 30wt, and when it got cold, the engine oil lubricated much slower due to thickness.
Today’s Vehicle
Today’s vehicles are much more technologically advanced. Many of today’s engines start in 750 milliseconds to two seconds, thanks to electronic ignition systems. But the other demands on the battery have multiplied. Under-hood temperatures have skyrocketed in recent years. Battery key-off drains (parasitic draw in milliamps) have also increased due to the number of computer processors per vehicle electronic accessories used (see Chart 1).
Tomorrow’s Vehicle
Future starting cycles should be the same or slightly less in duration (milliseconds), but they’ll be more frequent thanks to start-stop or micro-hybrid technology that will find its way into the mainstream. In a micro-hybrid, each time the vehicle comes to a stop sign or red light, the engine shuts down. This creates better fuel mileage, but it increases the demands on the battery. Additional electronic gadgets and control modules will also demand more for the battery, causing it to cycle deeper (see Chart 2).
Battery Cycles
One battery discharge plus one recharge is considered a battery cycle. The percentage of battery discharge in amps and time compared to the battery’s capacity determines whether it’s a shallow, medium or deep cycle(see Chart 3).
Shallow Cycle
Once a vehicle is started, the battery slams into action and produces several hundred amps of power immediately. We rate that battery action in CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). Once the charging system engages and the battery is recharged within 3-6 minutes of normal driving, one starting cycle is complete. Due to the short amount of time of an engine start, this is called a shallow cycle.
Medium Cycle
When the vehicle is idling or shut off, the battery now takes on additional responsibilities to either share or serve as the single source of power. We rate this action in RC (Reserve Capacity). Because the battery is discharged deeper than a shallow cycle, this is termed a medium cycle.
Deep Cycle
Whoops! Did you leave your headlights on? That would explain the weak battery. Image credit: nikkytok / 123RF Stock Photo
Deep Cycle batteries are typically used in applications like marine/RV auxiliary batteries to run house-loads. A vehicle key-off drain that allows the battery to discharge to a high percentage of its capacity (50% or more) is considered a deep cycle. For an automotive battery, this would most likely be an anomaly due to a defective component or operator error, like leaving the lights on or running the accessories too long.
Batteries for Today and Tomorrow
Let’s recap the three key areas of responsibility for today and tomorrow’s starting battery:
CCA that meets manufacturer requirements
RC that assists in discharge
The number of various cycles to meet demands
A quality starting battery can produce thousands of shallow start cycles, a hundred or so medium cycles, and 20-30 deep cycles. If the battery is used to start only, you’ll probably get several years of starts . When the starting battery has to endure multiple medium and deep cycles, the number of starts is reduced dramatically.
Tomorrow’s vehicle usage, starts and stops plus the increased number of accessories, will determine how batteries should be enhanced to accommodate deeper discharge requirements while providing increased starts.
Interstate’s entire team is not only devoted to determining the battery requirements of today and tomorrow’s vehicles, but also testing and validating their capability in CCA, RC and cycle ability.
Learn about the new Interstate MT7 AGM battery designed for high accessory-load vehicles.
What does keeping a submarine underwater, an airplane aloft and UPS on time all have in common? HAWKER, the largest brand of industrial lead-acid batteries in the world. And what company does HAWKER trust and rely on so much that they have earned the Dealer of Excellence Award four times? Interstate PowerCare®!
Interstate PowerCare offers a complete selection of motive and critical power solutions products at competitive prices with Outrageously Dependable service.
For four years, Interstate has proudly received the coveted HAWKER Dealer of Excellence Award for outstanding results gleaned in sales, service and financial stability.
“Achieving this award year after year is no small feat,” said Vince Whitehead, PowerCare, Motive Power Director. “Only 25% of HAWKER’s dealer network even satisfy the criteria to be evaluated for this award, and Interstate PowerCare continues to be recognized year over year. Motive has invested a significant amount of time and effort in marketing high-frequency systems and perfecting the implementation of these into logistics applications. This effort has allowed us to gain a competitive advantage in securing National Accounts and other strategic accounts. Additionally, the tremendous effort by the Motive Team Members to adopt and excel at a significantly more complex sales cycles than is typical to the Motive industry has allowed us to deliver these results. The Interstate PowerCare Team Members are some of the best in the industry; evidenced once again by the HAWKER Dealer of Excellence Award.”
Kyle kept his No. 18 M&M’s/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry in the top 10 all afternoon. After Kyle’s team made several adjustments throughout the race, Kyle found himself in third place on the final restart with just five laps to go.
“We probably had a seventh-place car all day long and found ourselves in third on the last restart,” Kyle said. “I just couldn’t get going for some reason on that last restart. I just didn’t do a good job there, and we found ourselves in sixth. We’ll take that and go on to Michigan.”
Busch’s Team Interstate companions – Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth – finished eighth and 25th, respectively. Jimmie Johnson won the race.
All-Access With Team Interstate’s Denny Hamlin
TNT goes behind-the-scenes with Denny Hamlin, who is trying to claw his way back into championship contention after missing several races with a back injury. Watch the video here:
Charlotte TV station WCNC highlights JGRMX and riders Josh Grant and Justin Brayton. Watch the video here:
This week: NASCAR travels to Michigan International Speedway and NHRA drag racing visits Bristol, where Team Interstate’s Mike Edwards will defend last year’s win. Motocross takes the weekend off.
Interstate fan Bobby Hairr from North Carolina became a fan when his 9-year-old Interstate battery died and came back to life to power his van for another two years. (Courtesy photo | Bobby Hairr)
Interstate® batteries can surprise you with how reliable they are – even after they point out electrical problems in your car.
After 11 years, one of our batteries continues to surprise Fayetteville, N.C., resident Bobby Hairr. His biggest surprise came a little more than two years ago when the battery died and then came back to life.
In 2010, the battery in Bobby’s 1998 Chevy Astro van couldn’t turn over the engine. When he popped the hood, he discovered that his Mega-Tron Plus® battery was about 9 years old. He gave the battery a jump-start and drove to his mechanic.
The real problem wasn’t under the hood. It was in his glove compartment. A little light inside had somehow frozen and stayed on.
Do you have a story about the Outrageously Dependable® service you’ve received from an Interstate Batteries Dealer, Distributor or Route Manager? Has one of our products gone beyond your expectations? Share your story with us. Write us by email (socialmedia at interstatebatteries dot com) or on our Facebook page. If we use it, you could get some Team Interstate gear!
The mechanic had to order a part, so Bobby would need to come back later.
Already impressed, he bought another Interstate, but his van still started and ran fine. After all, the battery was going to go, right?
A couple of days later, Bobby’s light was fixed – and the old battery still started. After a couple of weeks, the battery still cranked. Two years later, the battery’s still working.
“In the cold weather, struggled some,” Bobby said.
That’s OK, though. He’s got an extra Interstate in the back.
The winners of the Interstate Batteries Extra Mile Challenge toured the Joe Gibbs Racing facility in Charlotte, N.C., before getting on the go-kart track with Team Interstate. Photo: Jon Simkins
How good can one weekend get? Unbelievable. Once-in-a-lifetime. Outrageous.
The four-day extravaganza that the 18 winners of the Extra Mile Challenge experienced May 16-19 defies description.
The winning Route Sales Managers, warehouse staff, office staff and their guests received priceless VIP access to two NASCAR races and the chance to rub elbows (and go-kart bumpers) with the down-to-earth celebrities at Joe Gibbs Racing.
“It was unbelievable, man. We had a fantastic time. It was something I will always remember,” said Bryan Quick, winner and Route Sales Manager for IBS of Southern Tier.
Tyler Savage, winner and Office Manager for IBS of Lake Havasu, said, “I’ve seen a lot, so it’s hard to impress me. This thing, this was more than I expected. My wife was even blown away.”
Meeting Team Interstate
Talk about a guaranteed win! Extra mile guest Tiffany Savage jets out of the pits in a Kyle Busch-powered go-kart. Photo: Jon Simkins
Winner and Route Sales Manager Dan Cohen said go-karting with the entire JGR driver lineup was his favorite part. Everyone but Denny, who was recovering from a back injury, got behind the go-kart wheel beside Interstate’s drivers.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime thing because the fact of getting these guys in one place at one time. All at the same time and in a way to goof off and play with them was really, really cool,” Dan said.
After grouping into teams of four, spreading the JGR drivers out as much as possible, everyone got about 5 minutes on the track – and everyone made pit stops to swap out drivers.
Racing with the pros
Extra Mile winner Dan Cohen careened around the indoor go-kart track, testing his skills against JGR’s finest and other RSMs. Photo: Jon Simkins
Tyler, a lifelong NASCAR fan and late model racecar driver himself, got to fulfill a dream of racing with the pros.
“I race at a local level, and I was really interested to see how I stacked up with these guys,” he said.
Qualifying behind Matt Kenseth by 1/100th of a second, the Lake Havasu racer got to test his mettle with Kyle and Matt. Kyle finished his team’s lap in first – with Tyler right behind him. Even though Tyler’s team finished the race outside of the top five, it was the experience of a lifetime.
Tyler’s wife, Tiffany, also had her own experience of a lifetime. Racing for Kyle’s team with Bryan Quick and Jayme Carroll, wife of Midwest Wisconsin RSM Brian Carroll, Tiffany was the first racer to finish the race and she got to run the checkered flag to around the indoor track.
No Surprise: Kyle’s Team Dominates
Kyle Busch coached his go-kart team, Bryan Quick, Tiffany Savage, and Jayme Carroll on the strategy of speed. Photo: Jon Simkins
Bryan said he was fortunate to land on Kyle’s team.
“When you end up with Kyle Busch on your team, you’ve got a good chance of winning,” he said, adding that he knows just where to put their first place trophy. “I already told my wife it’s going on the mantle.”
Getting to pal around with Kyle and the other JGR drivers left a lasting impression – especially about Kyle himself. He coached his team’s drivers, pushed their karts after finishing the pits and generally hung around with people. Tyler and his wife shared pictures of racing in Lake Havasu with Kyle and heard about the NASCAR driver’s first race win, which was on Havasu Speedway in 1998.
Several of the Extra Milers said their go-karting time with Kyle completely changed their opinion of the No. 18 driver.
“It was exciting because you got to see a different side of Kyle,” Tyler said.
“He’s a great guy,” Brian said.
Trucks and All-Star Race
Getting to see Kyle, Matt, Denny and the rest of Team Interstate off the track was an incredible experience.
Getting to see them on the track turned out to be just as unforgettable.
Extra Mile winners visted Victory Lane with Kyle after the Camping World Truck Series race.
The Camping World Truck Series race in Charlotte took the whole weekend to a surreal level. Not only did the winners enjoy VIP access throughout the race garage as the teams prepped for the green flag, they had access to grandstand seating and even a spot on the infield. And of course, Team Interstate was doing great on the track.
Just when the winners thought that they experienced every NASCAR fan’s dream already, Advertising and Sponsorships Manager Charlie Brim said, “You’ve got to follow me.” When Charlie summons, you’ve got to follow – and that’s what Dan Cohen and the rest of the winners did.
“That dude walks a mile a minute. Trying to keep up with him is a feat in itself,” Dan said.
As they’re hustling through the pathways around Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dan said they heard Kyle peeling out. Did Kyle just win? And they missed it? Where were they going? Charlie assured them, and led them to their destination: the CMS Victory Lane.
“That was one of those surreal moments,” Dan said. “Then we saw Kyle Busch coming in, and we’re like, ‘We’re in Victory Lane. No way. We’re in Victory Lane.’”
Enduring memories
Even though Kyle placed third in the All-Star Race the next day, everyone had a first-place time.
Getting autographs, hanging out with Kyle’s wife Samantha and watching Fox do the pre-race interviews just a stone’s throw from their seats in the field absolutely wowed the winners and their guests.
The magnitude of the major events matched the attention to the minute details. Interstate-branded shirts and paraphernalia greeted the guests when they arrived, and at every point, the weekend was about having fun and rewarding the Extra Mile winners. Interstate’s own President & CEO Scott Miller said he’ll always remember go-karting with the RSMs.
“I had a blast!” Scott said. “RSMs are the hands and feet of Interstate, so it was great to hang with them and have some fun and talk shop.”
The All-Star Race Weekend left a huge impression with the Extra Mile winners, and many asked for a sequel to the promotion.
“Everything was so well-planned, and everyone was well taken care of. For the first time in my life, I felt like a VIP,” Tyler said. “Can I go the extra, extra, extra mile?”
Mike Edwards logged the fastest elapsed time of each round en route to his third win of 2013.
Team Interstate‘s Mike Edwards continued his stellar season with a dominating win at the NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown, N.J., this weekend.
Mike and the I Am Second/Interstate Batteries®/Penhall/K&N Chevy team’s win was their third of the season. Mike started from the pole for the eighth time in nine races.
“What a great weekend all around,” said Mike, who ran the lowest elapsed time of each of the four qualifying rounds and the four rounds of eliminations. “These are the kind of weekends at the race track that you dream about. It felt like one of those races we were making the right call every run and then laying down really good laps.”
Mike now turns his focus to Bristol, where he has won four straight.
Win carries special meaning
Mike Edwards’ win in Englishtown, N.J., was his third of the season and the first in I Am Second colors.
The victory was special for Mike and his Oklahoma-based team — a little positive news in what has been a rough couple of weeks.
With the tornado that hit Moore, Okla., on May 20, and then storms that rolled through the Tulsa area on Thursday and Oklahoma City on Friday, it was a challenge for Mike to focus on racing.
“Our hearts were focused more toward home as our fellow Sooners experienced numerous tornadoes,” Mike said.
A tornado came within a mile of the Mike Edwards Motorsports race shop Thursday night. He watched the tornadoes on a live Internet stream from his hotel room.
“It was a very helpless feeling knowing you could do nothing but, just watch,” he said. “Thankfully, we didn’t experience any major damage, but Oklahoma has been impacted and we dedicate this weekend to all those who have lost love ones, homes, or just need to have a little positive in their lives.”
Mike was also happy he could put the I Am Second paint scheme in Victory Circle for the first time this season.
“I want to give special thanks to Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Batteries, for giving us the opportunity to share the I Am Second message to the drag racing community,” he said.
Kyle Busch led Team Interstate with a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s FedEx 400 Benefitting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway. What appeared to be a promising day for all three Team Interstate/Joe Gibbs Racing teams, with each starting in the top four and leading a portion of the race, ended in disappointment for two. Matt Kenseth suffered an early engine failure, while a blown right front tire sent Hamlin into the wall and ended his day. Read more
This week: NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series travels to Pocono, while the Nationwide Series visits Iowa. Motocross rides into Mt. Morris, Pa., and NHRA drag racing takes the week off.
These Interstate Batteries Team Members walk the company’s stairs every day.
Interstate Batteries® recently received Gold Level recognition as a fit-friendly company in Dallas by the American Heart Association. Fit-friendly companies are organizations that are going above and beyond when it comes to their employees’ health.
The fit-friendly worksite recognition program was designed by the AHA to be a catalyst for positive change in American business. It recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees by creating physical activity programs within the workplace. It is also meant to encourage other worksites to participate and demonstrate similar physical activity practices for their employees.
Studies suggest that implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity will help worksites:
Increase productivity
Reduce absenteeism
Lower turnover
Reduce healthcare costs
See other Dallas companies who have been recognized as a fit-friendly worksite in the May 17-23 issue of the Dallas Business Journal.
Team Interstate brought three of the fastest cars to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images.
Experts said the moon Sunday night was in the waning gibbous phase. To NASCAR fans, it looked full. And to Team Interstate’s Kyle Busch and other drivers, it seemed the sky was falling.
The Coca-Cola 600 started out well for Busch. He qualified eighth and made his way into the top-five within the first 20 laps. He took the lead on lap 75 and regained it on a quick pit stop on lap 115.
Then things got weird.
Shortly after green-flag racing resumed, a cable from an overhead camera fell on the track, causing major damage to the No. 18 Toyota.
Team Interstate’s Kyle Busch takes a picture of the damage with a cellphone during the first red flag. His crew wasn’t allowed to inspect the car at that point. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images.
The cable sliced the right side of the car from the wheel well back.
The cable also injured several fans, and three were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
NASCAR displayed the red flag to allow safety crews to clear the cable from the track. Busch used this opportunity to climb from the M&M’s/Interstate Batteries Toyota and take pictures with a cellphone of the damage so the team could develop a repair plan.
The No. 18 crew replaces Kyle Busch’s right front fender during the second red flag Sunday night. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images.
After surveying the number of cars with damage, NASCAR brought teams to the pits, where they had 15 minutes to work on their cars.
The No. 18 team replaced the right-front fender, and Busch returned to the field with the lead. But about 100 laps later, Busch’s engine failed, ending his night.
“I commend NASCAR first of all for taking the initiative and letting us all repair our damaged cars from the issue that we had earlier in the race,” Busch said. “Appreciate that, but from there I thought we were about a fourth- or fifth-place car tonight. We had been running first, second or third most of the evening, but just catastrophic engine failure … I hate it for all my guys.”
Busch’s Team Interstate companions, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth, finished fourth and 15th, respectively.
Other Team Interstate Racing Results
This is becoming a familiar sight: Kyle Busch celebrates in Victory Lane after Saturday’s History 300 in Charlotte. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images
This week: NASCAR tackles the Monster Mile at Dover, Del., and Motocross visits Blountville, Tenn. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series resumes with the Toyota Summernationals in Englishtown, N.J.
Don Stenstrom’s 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL has an Interstate Battery that’s lasted 11 years and counting.
Lights, camera, ignition! Every trip’s a live performance from your engine, and the star of the show is your battery.
One Interstate® battery in popular filming locale, Vancouver, B.C., made its mark with an 11-year run in a 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL.
As a professional transporter, Don Stenstrom drives for the TV and movie industry, currently as a Class 1 Special Equipment Driver, which means he’s driving the hair and make-up truck or driving the trailer celebrities would use while shooting on location. When it’s time for his own car, Don turns to his Mercedes 500 – and in 11 years, whether facing regular driving or heavy idle time, the Mega-Tron Plus® battery inside hasn’t failed him.
“It has performed flawlessly through thick and thin in all types of weather and road conditions with no maintenance and has been a pinnacle of consistency and reliability year after year,” he said.
Don got his Interstate when he bought the used Mercedes back in July 2001. The salesman picked a battery off the floor. Don’s Mega-Tron Plus may have looked small in the engine’s battery box, but it powered his commute for more than 11 years.
“It definitely wasn’t brand-spanking new even then,” Don said, adding that he uses it daily – except when his work provides a vehicle for months at a time. “It’s had quite the mix of regular driving and idle time – not ideal conditions for a battery!”
Aside from periodic cleaning of the battery posts, Don let the battery do its thing – and it continues to pack a punch.
“Thank you for making such a fine battery!” he said. “It has greatly exceeded my expectations, and based on my experience, I would highly recommend Interstate products for any application.”
For long-running performances, the Oscar goes to Interstate Batteries for best action star under the hood.
Valid on orders online January 29-31, 2013. Not applicable for automotive, motorcycle and marine/RV batteries. Cannot be combined with other offers. Redeemable only once per customer.
Interstate Batteries® sells more than 16,000 kinds of batteries—from AA alkalines and automotive batteries to critical power solutions, and everything in between. Combine professional battery services, recycling programs and the largest battery distribution network in North America, and you’ll find Interstate has EVERY BATTERY FOR EVERY NEED®. Learn more about Interstate Batteries or shop online!
