Problems At Michael Waltrip Racing
Posted by Slobokan @ 10:55 · 418 words · print
During Daytona 500 qualifying, NASCAR officials found a "foreign substance" in the intake manifold of Michael Waltrip's NAPA Toyota.
Yesterday, NASCAR handed down one of their biggest penalties in history…
Michael Waltrip Racing received one of the biggest penalties in NASCAR history Wednesday.
Two key crew members were suspended indefinitely and Waltrip begins the season 100 points in the hole.
"Anything involved in circumventing the rules to get around horsepower is so critical, it's something we will not tolerate whatsoever," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition. "The penalties are right here in front of you."
Crew chief Larry David Hyder and team manager Bobby Kennedy have been ejected from the Daytona 500 and suspended indefinitely. Hyder also was fined $100,000.
A two-time race winner, Waltrip was docked 100 points and his qualifying time has been disallowed. His Toyota Camry had been confiscated after Sunday's qualifying.
Buffy Waltrip was docked 100 championship owner points.
I am a huge Michael Waltrip fan. I find it hard to believe he knew anything about this prior to the discovery by NASCAR officials.
"I respect NASCAR's rules, its people and the sport's integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed," Waltrip said. "I am dedicated to get to the bottom of this because I will not let the independent act of an individual or individuals tarnish the incredible accomplishment my organization has made to be where we are today.
"I want to apologize to the other owners, who know how hard I've worked to get here in such a short period of time, NASCAR, Toyota, NAPA, all my sponsors, the drivers and especially the fans."
I believe he is sincere, but he has a long road ahead of him if he is going to rebuild the trust between his team and NASCAR, other teams, and especially, the fans.
The first thing he needs to do is fire his crew chief, Larry Hyder, and the team manager, Bobby Kennedy. Firing both of them would send a message to the rest of his team, and his team manufacturer, Toyota, that he is serious about fixing the problem.
The second thing he needs to do is voluntarily withdraw from the Daytona 500. Doing so would send a message to the fans that he does not want to tarnish the reputation of the race, and it would give his team time to reorganize and salvage what little credibility it has left.
Posted In: NASCAR
Posted by John Bowling
February 24, 2007 @ 20:29
I think that it is awful that Michael did not take responsibility for what happened at Daytona. You never throw your people under the bus. He new as well as everyone else that they were running something illegal. He has lost my respect and will probably never regain it. I know that my opinion probably doesn't matter, but it's ashame for him not to take responsibiltiy for this. After all he is the driver. He is the last one that should make sure that everything is right.
Posted by Donald Stevens
February 26, 2007 @ 09:27
I think Michael was railroaded. Nascar think they are king of the roast. I think they are mad because Toyota wame into the picture. The good ol Nascar is gone forever.
Posted by Slobokan
February 26, 2007 @ 12:20
I personally do not believe that Michael Waltrip was aware of the attempt to cheat before they got caught. He has been in the business long enough to know that NASCAR would be checking the intake manifold, so I doubt he had any prior knowledge of the event taking place.
You may think that drivers would be the last one to look over a car, but you'd be mistaken. The drivers have enough to do while preparing for a race, that's why they have a team of people to work on the car.
As the owner of the car, however, Michael Waltrip was responsible for the infraction. I don't think he was railroaded. Not by NASCAR anyway. They have to do something to hold cheaters accountable. By imposing the stiff fine and point penalty they assessed MWR, they seem to be making that attempt. I just hope they start acting consistently.
Posted by Kelly George
April 30, 2007 @ 09:11
Honestly? Could you really believe that a seasoned driver be that stupid to add substances to their car's fuel? Obviously there is a different weak link in the chain.