The Timken Co. announced that it has extended its agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing as an official technical partner of the NASCAR racing organization. Timken will provide product development and technical engineering across Joe Gibbs Racing’s multiple team operations, including the Nextel Cup Series where the "Car of Tomorrow" race car design will debut in late March. For the last three years, Timken has worked collaboratively with the engineering team at Joe Gibbs Racing to develop and test technologies that improve the car’s powertrain and driveline performance, delivering longer life, improved fuel economy and higher horsepower availability. Timken’s press release says the Car of Tomorrow vehicle, a NASCAR design initiative to improve driver safety, performance, competition and cost-management for the teams, has already had significant engineering implications for all competitors in the Nextel Cup. As a result, Joe Gibbs Racing has turned to Timken for help in developing technologies that will drive performance while still conforming to the new NASCAR specifications. "With the Car of Tomorrow design, NASCAR has given us defined parameters within which we can work," says David Holden, research and development engineer at Joe Gibbs Racing. "That brings more parity to the sport, but it also poses tremendous design challenges for us in terms of loads, stiffness and weight." Timken’s engineered surfaces coatings, alloy steel from Timken operations in Canton and Timken(R) RacePac(TM), an integrated hub and bearing assembly specially designed for NASCAR teams, were all specifically designed for the motorsports industry. In addition, the company will continue to provide other innovative bearing and steel products to Joe Gibbs Racing that will be used throughout the car, from the suspension and steering systems to the engine and transmission. Alastair R. Deane, Timken senior vice president - technology says. "Our involvement in the sport translates into the creation of real value for our automotive, industrial and steel customers as we all have mutual challenges related to products that handle heat, speed and wear."