the official nascar thread. news/love/hate it/whatever, here
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the official nascar thread. news/love/hate it/whatever, here
official Waltrip's crew chief thrown out for illegal substance
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
February 14, 2007
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Michael Waltrip's crew chief and team director were thrown out of the Daytona 500 and suspended indefinitely Wednesday because an illegal substance was found during inspection for the season-opening race.
Waltrip, docked 100 points, will be allowed to participate in Thursday's races that determine the field for NASCAR's biggest event of the year.
David Hyder, his crew chief, was thrown out of the garage and fined $100,000. Team director Bobby Kennedy also was kicked out.
NASCAR officials would not reveal what they found in Waltrip's intake manifold, but a person with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press it was a form of jet fuel.
``I don't think this is anything that we've seen in the recent past,'' said competition director Robin Pemberton.
The illegal substance was found inside the intake manifold of Waltrip's new Toyota Camry before qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. NASCAR seized the part and shipped it back to North Carolina for analysis, and spent all day Wednesday pulling parts and pieces from under the hood.
The manifold is a part of the engine that supplies the fuel/air mix to the engine cylinders. Waltrip's team coated the inside of it with an illegal substance that is believed to be a gelatin form of jet fuel, according to the same official, who requested anonymity because NASCAR had not announced its penalties at the time.
Waltrip's team maintains it was oil.
Adding the substance, described as an oxygenate, would boost the octane in the fuel, thus making the engine run better at higher horsepower.
Pemberton said the substance was discovered when a NASCAR official reached his hand into the manifold to feel for loose parts.
``When he brought his hand out, there was a substance on there that was unlike anything he had ever seen in the inspection line before.
Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, started his own three-car team this season with Japanese automaker Toyota. The Camrys have struggled with speed since January testing, and Waltrip is not assured a starting spot in the field for Sunday's season-opening race.
``This is a highly competitive field this year ... and I think they went across the line to try to assure them a starting spot in the Daytona 500,'' Pemberton said.
Waltrip's car failed pre-qualifying inspection. The cars he fields for Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann both passed inspection. Jarrett is assured a spot in Sunday's race because he's a past series champion; Waltrip and Reutimann must race their way in Thursday.
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
February 14, 2007
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Michael Waltrip's crew chief and team director were thrown out of the Daytona 500 and suspended indefinitely Wednesday because an illegal substance was found during inspection for the season-opening race.
Waltrip, docked 100 points, will be allowed to participate in Thursday's races that determine the field for NASCAR's biggest event of the year.
David Hyder, his crew chief, was thrown out of the garage and fined $100,000. Team director Bobby Kennedy also was kicked out.
NASCAR officials would not reveal what they found in Waltrip's intake manifold, but a person with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press it was a form of jet fuel.
``I don't think this is anything that we've seen in the recent past,'' said competition director Robin Pemberton.
The illegal substance was found inside the intake manifold of Waltrip's new Toyota Camry before qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. NASCAR seized the part and shipped it back to North Carolina for analysis, and spent all day Wednesday pulling parts and pieces from under the hood.
The manifold is a part of the engine that supplies the fuel/air mix to the engine cylinders. Waltrip's team coated the inside of it with an illegal substance that is believed to be a gelatin form of jet fuel, according to the same official, who requested anonymity because NASCAR had not announced its penalties at the time.
Waltrip's team maintains it was oil.
Adding the substance, described as an oxygenate, would boost the octane in the fuel, thus making the engine run better at higher horsepower.
Pemberton said the substance was discovered when a NASCAR official reached his hand into the manifold to feel for loose parts.
``When he brought his hand out, there was a substance on there that was unlike anything he had ever seen in the inspection line before.
Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, started his own three-car team this season with Japanese automaker Toyota. The Camrys have struggled with speed since January testing, and Waltrip is not assured a starting spot in the field for Sunday's season-opening race.
``This is a highly competitive field this year ... and I think they went across the line to try to assure them a starting spot in the Daytona 500,'' Pemberton said.
Waltrip's car failed pre-qualifying inspection. The cars he fields for Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann both passed inspection. Jarrett is assured a spot in Sunday's race because he's a past series champion; Waltrip and Reutimann must race their way in Thursday.
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I love it when they throw out huge penalties/fines to to the crappy teams. Wonder how long this season he'll be -100, it might take him a while to actually qualify for a race and a few to get over a 100 points 
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i don't "follow" nascar, but if there is absolutely nothing else on tv ( i don't have cable) then i'll watch it.
i just think its hilarious that they found traces of a foreign substance in his intake manifold.
what do you think he was using...Meth, nitrous, alcohol?
i just think its hilarious that they found traces of a foreign substance in his intake manifold.
what do you think he was using...Meth, nitrous, alcohol?
