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This marks my second experience at a NASCAR event, and I find myself in Victory Lane. To be honest, gaining access was as simple as navigating a few barriers while brandishing a laminate pass. For the majority of the 110 laps, I enjoyed a prime view from my seat overlooking Sonoma Raceway, located about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. The most challenging task was managing snacks rather than steering.
On June 9, during the 2024 Toyota/Save Mart 350, I am attending as a guest of Hendrick Motorsports to commemorate their 40th anniversary and celebrate Kyle Larson’s victory—he drives the No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Larson and his crew expertly maneuvered through both left and right turns along with strategic pit stops to secure his third win this season and his second career triumph on this intricate road course that spans 2.52 miles with twelve turns.
The landscape here is hilly, interwoven with vineyards that adorn these renowned valleys in Northern California. My invitation from Valvoline allowed me to immerse myself in this festive atmosphere while learning about two vital fluids that keep this region thriving: engine oil and wine—a journey that began two days prior with an entirely different kind of victory.
Starting Line
Our adventure kicks off at a winery—specifically Judd’s Hill, which has been family-owned for generations along Napa’s Silverado Trail. This establishment began its journey thirty-five years ago from its owner’s garage—a familiar setting for both mechanics and vintners alike. However, our workshop lacks tools like socket wrenches or fermentation tanks; instead, it features sunlit tables adorned with full wine bottles alongside empty graduated cylinders.
Our purpose here is to explore blending varietals while discovering how just a few milliliters of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, or Petit Verdot can alter the acidity and complexity of wine flavors—and how these principles relate to Valvoline’s latest premium synthetic oil called Restore & Protect (spoiler alert: it remains undrinkable).
Let us delve into wines—yes plural! We have been divided into teams for an engaging competition where Judd’s Hill presents four out of six classic Bordeaux grape varieties. Our challenge is to discover an ideal balance between fruitiness and structure that resonates with our taste buds before selecting one blend per team deemed most complex for presentation during blind tasting by three judges who will determine which team emerges victorious.
As we mix our blends meticulously while discussing tannin adjustments among ourselves , Dr.Michael Warholic , global technology director at Val vol ine Global Operations shares insights regarding Restore & Protect.His extensive experience spanning over twenty-five years in chemical engineering allows him to make engine oil relatable even amidst such picturesque surroundings filled with delightful Mediterranean weather.The numerous test swirls,sips,and sniffs we partake—in pursuit of knowledge—make us quite receptive!
Pit Stops
Both motor oil production processes share similarities found within winemaking where minute chemical components yield substantial impacts.Winemaking factors include microclimates , terroir,nutrient availability,d rainage conditions etc.,which influence grape maturation.Additionally,sugar levels(Brix)and acidity(pH)fluctuations each vintage create unique flavor profiles affecting aging potential.Furthermore,the type o f oak barrels used during storage along wi th ambient temperature play crucial roles too!
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The Impact of Engine Oil on Vehicle Performance: A Deep Dive
While some wines may leave a lasting impression, most simply enhance our daily experiences. In the realm of automotive care, however, the composition of your engine oil is crucial. According to Dr. Warholic, “Approximately 85% of your engine’s makeup is oil; yet it’s the small percentage—around 1% or 2%—of additives in premium products like Restore & Protect that truly make a significant impact.”
Dr. Warholic elaborates on this by stating, “In a combustion engine, every bit of space counts. Friction modifiers, detergents, and anti-wear agents are all vying for their place on surfaces within the engine; thus achieving an optimal balance among these components is essential. Restore & Protect has successfully accomplished this.”
The debate surrounding moderate wine consumption and its health benefits seems to shift every few years; currently leaning towards no amount being beneficial. However, there’s no ambiguity regarding whether high-quality oil can help mitigate damage in gasoline engines. Exceeding ILSAC GF-6A and API SP specifications, Restore & Protect even aims to reverse age-related deposits.
“We tested two Ford Mustangs using a dynamometer over 300,000 miles,” Dr. Warholic shares enthusiastically. “Upon disassembly we discovered that one Mustang became progressively cleaner with each oil change—a remarkable finding.” He also mentions examining Ford Explorers after they had run for 500,000 miles with standard private label oils and found several nearly seized piston rings; in contrast, using Restore & Protect resulted in a staggering reduction of cylinder wall wear by 79%.
Dr. Warholic emphasizes his point by directing attention to a display featuring four pistons illustrating the deposits removed between initial and fourth oil changes due to two proprietary technologies: “Active Clean” and “Liqui-Shield.” These innovations not only slow down aging but also restore engines to their factory-clean condition when maintained regularly—while they can’t replace lost metal parts entirely they do provide protection against further deterioration.
A Unique Blend: ValvoWine
Experimenting with various polymers might seem like an effective strategy for success in automotive lubrication technology—but it doesn’t end there! Following our presentation about Restore & Protect we introduced our own creation: ValvoWine—a blend consisting of 10% Merlot, 60% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that combines elements reminiscent of Cahors with California’s rich terroir—offering dense dark fruit flavors balanced between chewy richness and creamy texture without being overly rustic or aloof.
The Intersection Between Automotive Lubricants and Winemaking
The connections between automotive lubricants and California’s wine industry extend beyond just blending competitions as we base ourselves at Silverado Resort—a venue steeped in history since Valvoline was founded back in 1866 while Charles Krug winery opened its doors five years earlier (with Buena Vista Winery predating them both). Both industries share deep-rooted traditions while evolving through innovation built upon foundational principles.
Fluid dynamics play an essential role across both sectors—the viscosity levels within oils are vital for minimizing friction whereas how wine flows influences its mouthfeel creating harmony between taste sensations as well as textures experienced during consumption processes alike! Temperature control significantly affects both domains impacting everything from how effectively engine oils coat components down through proper fermentation conditions required for quality wines produced today!
A Culinary Experience Amidst Historical Significance
As we savor lunch at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars—a picturesque site pivotal during California’s viniculture revolution thanks largely due its Cabernet Sauvignon winning accolades during the famed Judgment Of Paris tasting event—we reflect upon vineyard management techniques such as ideal exposure angles combined with diverse soil types leading towards exceptional grape quality yielding powerful wines when cultivated correctly!
Navigating Conditions for Optimal Output
This meticulous approach encompasses orientation strategies along with spacing considerations ensuring adequate air circulation coupled alongside irrigation practices tailored specifically around temperature ranges preventing overheating—all aimed toward producing long-lasting finishes akin those sought after within motorsport engineering realms too!
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The Checkered Flag
The world of fluid dynamics is crucial for success at the Sonoma Raceway. Winning requires not only adjustments to suspension and gear ratios but also drivers who can adapt their techniques to navigate the unique elevation changes, braking zones, and acceleration areas that differ significantly from oval tracks. Mastery of fuel and tire management is essential, along with engineering that ensures thermal stability and resistance to degradation.
The development of Restore & Protect involved nearly 150 professionals over three years, focusing on both consumer versions and specialized formulations for Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet vehicles. After each race, Valvoline retrieves the oil used in these cars for analysis, correlating it with track performance metrics. This rigorous testing helps determine how effectively it reduces metal-on-metal friction while advanced additives combat burn under extreme conditions.
While my vehicle may not experience the same high-stress environment as a race car, those with higher mileage can still benefit from eliminating harmful carbon deposits that trap heat within the engine. Who wouldn’t want improved acceleration response, smoother idling, better fuel efficiency, and extended engine longevity—all potential benefits offered by Restore & Protect?
The phrase “Win on Sunday; Sell on Monday” has long been associated with auto racing success. Following Larson’s victory at Sonoma Raceway—an exhilarating conclusion to an informative weekend—it’s likely that many consumers will be interested in purchasing Restore & Protect after witnessing its effectiveness firsthand. As I stood in Victory Lane watching Larson celebrate with a goblet of red wine (if only it were ValvoWine!), I couldn’t help but reflect on how racing triumphs translate into consumer interest.
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The article originally appeared on Popular Science.
