R&D

Race Proven, Street Smart: Maximizing Performance in Racing and the Aftermarket

Lucas Racing Engine Oil

The discoveries made through the research partnership with RCR and ECR Engines shaped the current line of Lucas Racing Only synthetic and synthetic-blend engine oils trusted by professional and grassroots race teams around the world. Each product offered in the Lucas Racing Only line utilizes a unique combination of chemical components, lubricants and other additives to achieve superior performance and protection under the extreme and demanding conditions that exist in the most competitive racing scenarios. 

The Lucas Racing Only product line incorporates three decades of racing technology evolution. The Lucas Oil R&D team understands the delicate balance required to achieve power and durability in high-performance engines and high stakes situations. While Lucas is continuing to develop new blends, the Racing Only product line features a comprehensive mix of motor oils, gear oils, additives and more to help any team preserve their equipment and cross the finish line first.

Lucas Oil Racing Only Line:

Engine Break-In Oil

Semi-Synthetic Motor Oil

Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Low Viscosity Engine Oil 

Supercharger Racing Oil

Racing Gear Oil 

Racing Assembly Grease

Suspension and Brake Fluid 

What makes a balanced motor oil for high-performance engines?

Racing motor oils, such as those used by RCR in NASCAR Cup Series races, are blended with a proprietary mix of additives that enhance the oil’s ability to lubricate, cool and clean the engine, while maintaining stability and reducing wear and tear.

  • Viscosity Improvers: Viscosity is a measure of an oil's resistance to flow. In high-performance engines, the oil needs to maintain its viscosity under extreme temperatures and pressures. Viscosity improvers are polymers that expand and contract in response to temperature changes, allowing the oil to maintain its desired viscosity.
  • Detergents: Dirt and debris can accumulate in the engine over time, which can reduce engine performance and cause damage. Detergents help to keep the engine clean by suspending these contaminants in the oil, allowing them to be removed during an oil change.
  • Dispersants: In addition to detergents, dispersants help to keep contaminants in suspension, preventing them from settling and forming sludge or other deposits that can cause engine damage.
  • Friction Modifiers: Friction modifiers help to reduce friction between moving engine parts, which can improve fuel efficiency, reduce wear, and increase power output.
  • Anti-wear Agents: Anti-wear agents form a protective layer on engine parts, reducing friction and wear. This is particularly important in high-performance engines that operate at high temperatures and pressures.
  • Corrosion Inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitors prevent the formation of rust and other forms of corrosion, which can damage engine parts and reduce performance.

A similar balance of lubricants designed to mitigate friction and improve performance and durability in racing motor oil is at work in all Lucas Oil general automotive oils and treatments. By using Lucas Oil, vehicle owners can reap the same benefits as NASCAR Cup Series race cars - superior engine protection, better engine performance, extended oil life, high temperature and wear resistance, and enhanced engine cleanliness. 

‎Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick: Morgan Lucas

Lucas Racing Engine Oil

Morgan Lucas' connection with cars and racing runs deep within his DNA. Although he has retired from racing, he continues to pursue his passion for speed by spearheading the expansion of his family's business. As the president of Lucas Oil Products, he candidly discusses his views on risk, family, and the company's strong commitment to Indiana.

Listen to the podcast

Motorsports Legacy On Full Display – RCR & Lucas Oil Storied Partnership – 20+ Trips to Victory Lane and Counting

The No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro makes a pit stop

What makes a championship-winning race car? Success in racing requires attention to every detail, looking for a competitive advantage wherever possible - and engine lubrication is absolutely a factor. Within high-performance engines, the use of oils and additives is all about managing friction which is manifested as heat and wear. If you can reduce friction through the use of the right oil and additive blend, you get more horsepower, performance and an edge over other cars on the track.

Since 2014, expert technicians at Lucas Oil have been in lockstep with RCR and ECR to discover the right engine oil blend to draw out every competitive advantage possible. The teams test engines in simulators and real-world racing scenarios capturing hundreds of data points to measure and find areas of improvement. 

“Lucas Oil has been excellent for ECR and RCR’s success,” said Dr. Andrew L. Randolph, ECR Engine Technical Director. “They are racing enthusiasts and oil experts, able to optimize products based on how we want to run a race, blending different formulations based on specific scenarios and conditions that hugely impact car performance.

“Lucas Oil provides ECR Engines a competitive advantage in the NASCAR and Road Racing series where we compete. Indeed, Richard Childress Racing and other teams running ECR Engines have won multiple races protected by Lucas Oil,” continued Dr. Randolph. 

A crucial benefit that Lucas brings to RCR is the ability to fully optimize an oil blend based on exact race requirements. By working closely with the team, Lucas is a real technical partner that is constantly researching and developing oils and additive blends to improve race cars and its line of dedicated racing oils and off-the-shelf general automotive car care.

Kyle Busch Stunning Win at Pala Casino 400 - Lucas, RCR & ECR Triumph on the Track

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro

Behind the wheel of the No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet, Kyle Busch notched his 61st victory, the most among active drivers and his first with the RCR team. Busch ran a nearly perfect race, grabbing the lead despite a mid-race speeding penalty and finishing with a 3-second lead over runner up Chase Elliott. 

The No. 8 also had a new paint scheme for the Fontana race with Lucas Oil as the primary car sponsor, highlighting its long-time relationship with the team as the official lubricant of RCR and ECR Engines, the official motor oil of ECR Engines and as a valued technical and development partner.

“It was just a completely different feeling of a race car than what I had here last year,” Kyle Busch told Fox Sports. “I’ve been with a lot of great people that have given me a lot of great opportunities in my career, so it’s awesome to be able to reward them.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of Kyle’s performance and the entire RCR team. This win is reaffirmation of our commitment to motorsports and continued partnership with exceptional race teams like RCR and ECR Engines. It was a blast to be trackside with the crew and see that beautiful Lucas Oil paint scheme with No. 8 on its side, Lucas Oil in its engine, and Rowdy himself in the driver’s seat to dominate the competition. This win is only the beginning; records are about to be smashed.” - Brandon Bernstein, Director of Partnership Marketing 

Lucas Pro Tip for Winterizing your Boat

Lucas Pro Tip for Winterizing your Boat. The winter season is upon us and it's time to take care and store your boat safely, winterizing with Lucas Oil Products. Tom Bogner will guide you through a step by step process using Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer, Fuel Stabilizer, and Pure Synthetic Oil Stabilizer for winterizing your boat.

Minivan Check and Prep with Lucas Oil Products

We have you covered with a detailed minivan check and prep with Lucas Oil Products, because safety is first and with your children going back to school, minivans are back on the road! We start with checking the tire pressure to fully integrating a new K&N oil filter and Lucas Motor Oil.

LOP Outdoor Line Preparation for Hunting Season

Lucas Oil Outdoor Line preparation for Hunting Season. Lucas Oil Products has you covered for the Hunting Season.

Lucas Oil interviews NHRA Multi-Champion Jason Rupert

Lucas Oil interviews NHRA Multi-Champion Jason Rupert. Tom Bogner had a chance to speak with NHRA Multi-Champion Jason Rupert on his relationship with Lucas Oil Products and about his race program for this upcoming season.

Lucas Oil interview with Geoff Stillwell

Lucas Oil interview with Land Speed Car Driver Geoff Stillwell. Tom Bogner met with Lucas Land Speed Car Driver Geoff Stillwell upon his return from Bonneville. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, Geoff and his team were not able to make any runs, but we got a chance to sit down with Geoff and talk about the future of his race program and his relationship with Lucas Oil Products.

Lucas Oil Land Speed Car interview with Tony Thacker

Lucas Oil Land Speed Car interview with Tony Thacker. Tom Bogner interviews Marketing Manager, Tony Thacker, of the Lucas Land Speed Car. A brief interview discussing the relationship between the team and Lucas Oil Products and talks about future plans for their race program.

Lucas Oil makes engine rebuilds easy


John Ness in Monroe Washington who brought his original Shelby Cobra, he uses Lucas Oil products in all his cars. 40 cars, 15 trucks, and 10 motorcycles in his fleet all use Lucas Oil. As he puts it, "Everything that I've ever built with Lucas Oil ... it's easy to rebuild that engine."

Lucas Engine Break In and Racing Oil with Kenny Duttweiler and the Speed Demon

It's that time of year and we're heading back to the salt flats of Utah. Tom Bogner sat down with Kenny Duttweiler of Duttweiler Performance, the man who has been in charge of building the Speed Demon's engine...making it the fastest engine in the world! Tom and Kenny talk about the upcoming season for the Speed Demon and the race teams affiliation with Lucas Oil Products, specifically using Lucas Engine Break In and Racing Oils.

"New & Specialized High Performance Lubricants for the Changing Demands in Auto Racing" by Lucas Oil

Tom Bogner, Director of Research and Development, Duane LaFleur, Business Development/High Performance, and Greg Hewgill, Technical Director, Lucas Oil Products. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM ch 90, Late Shift.

Presented by ARP, Inc.

Synthetic Oil Or Conventional: Deciding Which Is Your Best Option

Synthetic Oil Or Conventional

Discussing engine oil is a slippery subject. For starters, should you use conventional or synthetic oil? It used to be that the most troublesome choice to make when deciding on oil for your engine was the brand name on the label. But today much has changed. There are multiple technical areas and a ton of material to cover so let’s jump right into this viscous topic.

Technology around engine oil is constantly changing because late-model engines are evolving at a much quicker pace than in past decades. The discussion of conventional versus synthetic has been extensively covered. So instead, we’ll focus on oil application issues and how viscosity plays a part in that decision. To get some solid information, we reached out to the folks at Lucas Oil.

Read more here on ChevyHardcore.com

Improve Older, High Mileage Vehicles With These Preventative Maintenance Tips

A simple guide on how to get through the teenage years of your vehicle

By Ford McAlexander, Sales Programs Manager, Lucas Oil Products, INC.

It may be surprising to hear after the many new car commercials and advertisements we see everyday, but in truth, vehicles are growing older. With that being said, it is probably time for everyone to have a heart-to- heart with their vehicle to ensure it receives the best protections available to them. I may joke about talking to a vehicle regarding its well-being, but this is important not only for reliability and performance, but for the owner’s wallet as well.

According to multiple sources and the Bureau of Transportation studies, the average vehicle in operation on the road today is at least 11 years old! That’s almost a teenager! As one can expect from teenagers, they eat through a lot of the products as they grow. This will bring about growing pains, and I’m not talking about joint pain, I’m talking about seals becoming loose, poor combustion due to carbon buildup, and transmission slipping due to wear. That’s where responsible owners can see real benefits from using proper lubrication and performance additives.

In regards to seal issues, particularly in the crankcase, age, and repeated use do cause seals to weaken. Even with the best synthetic motor oils available today (and right now is truly the best motor oils have ever been), seals do leak and crankcases will lose oil. This is a great time for an owner to look into oil additives. All motor oil manufacturers need to meet API standards to ensure confidence, but oil additives can be that extra helping that teenage vehicles want, making them feel young again. There are many oil additives to choose from and they all provide benefits that plain motor oils can’t provide. As an added bonus, the oil additives do all the work for you as most of them simply involve adding the additive during your normal oil change or in situations where you are experiencing increased consumption in your crankcase.

“All motor oil manufacturers need to meet API standards to ensure confidence, but oil additives can be that extra helping that teenage vehicles want, making them feel young again.” —Ford McAlexander, sales programs manager, Lucas Oil Products

Combustion chambers within your adolescent vehicles are even more important to take care of with proper fuel additives and fuel treatments. Over the years, gasoline and diesel fuels have changed in effort to help the environment, but this has also created issues for a vehicle’s long-term well-being. When you add fuel additives and treatments to a car’s fuel tank, you can provide the missing additives that will improve fuel economy, acceleration, and performance. Conveniently, most premium fuel treatments are designed to fit both capless and traditional style fuel tank receivers for easy application. In addition, with some of the mild detergents in fuel additives, you can remove some of the unwanted carbon buildup and turn back the hands of time for the vehicle’s performance.

Finally, let’s talk about a teenage vehicle not knowing what gear you want it to be in so it “slips” into its inconvenient bad behavior. This is another usage based problem that comes up when vehicles get older. Fortunately, there are a variety of transmission additives that can help fix these slipping issues and ensure your transmissions hit the gear you want it to when you need it. The various transmission additives on the market can be used as easy as adding it to the current transmission fluid without draining or replacing the reservoir. As an example, the additives can solve the common problem where you press the gas pedal trying to get in front of a big rig on the interstate and the car hesitates trying to find the right gear.

Now, I’m not saying all performance chemicals are created equal, or that they will solve every vehicle’s problems. I’m simply suggesting that there are many lower cost opportunities for you as an owner to maximize the functionality and life of vehicles well into the future. The benefits an owner of these “matured” vehicles will be realized through increased miles per gallon and minimization of maintenance costs or shop related down-time when true maintenance is required. The average price of a new vehicle has continued to increase, which is part of the reason why older vehicles are so appealing to keep and maintain today. With that sort of time investment, it only makes sense to provide the right lubrication products to older vehicles that will hopefully see it graduate with a diploma of amazing service to an owner.


Ford McAlexander, sales programs manager at Lucas Oil Products. Lucas Oil was founded in 1989 with the simple philosophy of producing only the best line of lubricants and additives available anywhere. Lucas Oil offers a premium line of motor oils, greases, fuel treatments, industrial lubricants, and problem solving additives to help firmly establish Lucas Oil as a prominent figure in the marketplace. Visit lucasoil.com for more information.

FIRE-BREATHING MONSTER HATCHED WITH LUCAS BREAK-IN OIL

This week, David Ebbert of Specialty Marine Engines in Costa Mesa, California, sent us a video of one of his latest monster engines being broken-in with Lucas 30wt Break-In Oil. This particular beast is a 565 Chevy block with a 10-71 Blower stacked with dual 850 Holleys, a Dart 18-degree head and Crane solid roller cam.

As you would imagine with such a finely tuned beast, the startup is quick and sharp, and the idle has the characteristic pop of an insanely high-output engine, and a distinctively smooth and mild lope. On an engine such as this, new parts with tight tolerances require the utmost care during break-in, or the engine can very easily destroy itself in a shower of smoke and sparks. That’s why Specialty Marine Engines chooses Lucas 30wt Break-In Oil for break-ins and dyno-testing of newly-constructed engines.

The unique high-zinc additive package in Lucas Break-In Oil cushions parts and shields them from the extreme friction and heat that occurs during break-in. Because of the extreme lubricity of Lucas Oils, they have been known to not only provide ultimate protection but to add horsepower! In the accompanying video, you will see the 565 Chevy hooked to the pro dyno at Westech Performance in Mira Loma, California. As the fuel is gradually increased to the mill, you hear the monster truly breathing fire… pumping out 1065 horses at 6900 rpm! This was all done on pump gas with 8 psi of boost. David Ebbert credits Lucas Break-In Oil as a large component in keeping his engines running strong and cool at such high output levels, and he promises to send us more videos in the future. Try Lucas Break-In Oil with your next engine project, and give your prized investment the best in long-term protection!

Power and Protection

052316 rd race

There’s a reason that professional racers, mechanics and engine builders rely on Lucas Oil for their high-output applications. Actually, there’s TWO reasons - Power and Protection. A recent demonstration by Mike Miller, an engine builder in Southern California, shows the vast difference between using an inexpensive off-the-shelf oil, and using Lucas’ exclusive Synthetic Racing Oil.

Mike’s test engine was a 583 CID Chevrolet block sporting BRODIX SR20 cylinder heads (hooked up to his state-of-the-art dyno and diagnostics station). He started by filling the engine with a standard well-known brand - Chevron conventional 5W-30. At peak output, this combination yielded a decent 1125 horsepower.

Mike then drained the engine and replaced it with Lucas Oil’s Racing 5W-30 Synthetic. The engine was slowly warmed up then throttled to its maximum output. The effect of Lucas’ exclusive high-zinc additive package was quite apparent. The 583 Chevy had GAINED 20 HORSEPOWER, bumping the final tally to 1145!

Mike Miller’s demonstration is just one of MANY that happens on a daily basis, as Lucas Oil continues to prove its effects on both the race track and the street. As you can imagine, Lucas’ special blend of the finest American base oils and its exclusive additive package not only increases horsepower, it also protects engine components from friction, heat and particulate matter better than any other oil on the market.

BRODIX 540 Big Block

brodix engine rdTest Engines, used to make sure our Lucas oil stands up to the competition!

Joon Maeng 430 cubic inch LS7 makes over 1100 HP using Racing only 20w-50 Synthetic

joon-maeng-ls7 Joon Maeng 430 cubic inch LS7 makes over 1100 HP using Racing only 20w-50 Synthetic