Michael Waltrip Apologizes And Qualifies
A remorseful Michael Waltrip apologized to the NASCAR community Thursday morning, accepting the blame for a series of events that led to the biggest penalty in NASCAR history.
NASCAR officials said they found a foreign substance in the intake manifold of Waltrip’s No. 55 Toyota Camry after Sunday’s qualifications for the Daytona 500.
PA SportsTicker has learned the substance is likely a rocket fuel known as propylene oxide.
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Michael Waltrip was so distraught over the events that he considered not racing in Thursday’s Gatorade Duel 150s.
“I came real close to not racing today (Thursday),” Waltrip said. “I felt like there would be a cloud over whatever I accomplished today over what happened. But with encouragement from NAPA (his sponsor) and NASCAR president Mike Helton, I’m here today to do it.
“I’m going to race and I hope that you see today I’m pretty serious about racing and hopefully we can have some success today.”
It will be interesting to learn who tried such a stupid stunt. Michael Waltrip is a class act. I have always thought so. The fact that he stepped up, took responsibility, apologized and was going to withdraw from the race until his sponsor encouraged him not too, speaks volumes about his character.
I have spent some time over the past few days thinking about all the “infractions” this year at Daytona, and the differences between the people involved.
While it’s no secret that most teams try to “push the envelope” at Daytona, it bothers me that some people are just blatantly cheating, rather than “bending the rulebook”. They no longer seem to be exploiting “gray area” rules, but rather boldly disregarding or breaking those rules.
The rocket fuel issue at Michael Waltrip Racing is very disturbing and possibly one of the worst violations I have ever heard of. But you couldn’t help but see the agony on Michael Waltrip’s face. His remorse for the actions of a yet unnamed person on his team was undeniable. The man was so upset he was going to withdraw from the most prestigious race of the season.
Let’s compare Michael Waltrip’s actions to those of others who were caught using parts and pieces that were not legal.
Kasey Kahne’s Dodge and Matt Kenseth’s Ford had air that was improperly ducted into the car, an obvious attempt to improve the aerodynamics of the cars. Their crew chiefs were suspended for four races and fined $50,000. The drivers and owners were docked 50 points each.
I haven’t heard a word from the drivers themselves, in fact the only thing I have heard about these two cases, is that Rousch Fenway Racing is going to appeal the penalty because NASCAR is “inconsistent” with their penalties. Let’s forget the fact that they were cheating. Let’s forget the apology to the fans or the remorse for bringing shame to NASCAR.
Is there inconsistency in the penalties handed down by NASCAR, of course there are. You would be a moron to think otherwise.
A clear example of this inconsistency was Jeff Gordon’s #24 Chevrolet failing to pass post-race inspection yesterday after the second duel race. Upon inspection, his car was an inch too low to the ground, and NASCAR officials blamed it on a part failure. His time was disallowed and he has been forced to the rear of the field for the Daytona 500. He received no points penalty and his crew chief was not suspended or fined.
In comparison, last year at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch’s car failed to pass inspection after qualifying because a shock got “stuck”. Yes, it was another apparent part failure. However, NASCAR responded completely different in this case. Kurt Busch’s crew chief, Roy McCauley, was suspended for two races and fined $25,000. Kurt Busch lost 50 driver points and Penske Racing lost 50 owner points.
NASCAR definitely needs to find some consistency when it comes to handing out penalties, but that consistency is not going to stop those who are blatantly cheating.
Scott Riggs’ and Elliott Sadler’s Dodges had illegal fasteners that had holes drilled in them so air would leak over the trunk area. Their crew chiefs were suspended for two races and fined $25,000. The drivers and owners were docked 25 points each. Those holes did not drill themselves into the fasteners and everyone in the garage knew that no one drilled holes in them before. So what did they have to say? I haven’t heard a word. No comment I suppose. No apology to the fans, no remorse for bringing shame to NASCAR.
Last year, Chad Knaus was suspended for four races, and fined $25,000 for having an illegal device on the rear of the car. What was his response when all was said and done?
“It puts me in a bad light and that’s not the way we live,” Knaus said. “I want people to see us in a proud light. I’m proud of my race team and we have the best driver, the best team and the best sponsors which will only help us as a whole, and I look forward to the rest of the season.”
This was yet another example of a non-apologetic statement from another cheater. No apology to the fans, no remorse for bringing shame to NASCAR.
Whatever happened to owning up for your actions, or the actions of your team? Is it so difficult to just face the music and apologize for what you (or a team member) have done?
Michael Waltrip has a long road ahead of him, rebuilding the reputation of his race team, but his character shows he’ll have no trouble navigating that road.
It was not the biggest penalty in NASCAR history. the 2000 fuel penalty against Jeremy Mayfield was bigger points wise.