Fines, suspensions continue at Daytona

NASCAR officials ended almost 72 hours of suspense when they announced Wednesday afternoon that Michael Waltrip Racing would face the stiffest penalties ever for rules violations discovered during pre- and post-qualifying inspections. Sunday morning NASCAR officials announced they had confiscated the manifold from the No. 55 Toyota before Daytona 500 qualifying after they said an “unknown liquid” had been found in the manifold during pre-qualifying inspections. Then Sunday night NASCAR officials said they had confiscated the car and were going over it with a fine-tooth comb because of other unnamed concerns. Since then, speculation had mounted over what NASCAR had found and what kind of punishment would be forthcoming. After fines and suspensions were announced yesterday for four other Nextel Cup teams, rumors began to circulate in the garage that the No. 55 team would be banned from the Daytona 500 and/or suspended from NASCAR indefinitely. Those rumors became more believable after both the team’s crew chief and the team’s vice-president of competition were escorted from the track. And while the rest of the Nextel Cup teams prepared for tomorrow’s Gatorade Duels, the No. 55 team rolled out a backup car and tried to get it through NASCAR inspection. When the No. 55 failed to make an appearance in the final round of practice, some reasoned it was because the team was being sent home. Finally, just before 6 p.m. NASCAR officials held a press conference to announce their decision. First, crew chief David Hyder was fined $100,000. In addition, Hyder and Bobby Kennedy, MWR vice president of competition, received indefinite suspensions. Finally, Waltrip and his team were 100 points and his qualifying time for the Daytona 500 was disallowed. Plus, NASCAR announced that Waltrip’s car would remain impounded by NASCAR and that it would be sent back to NASCAR’s Research and Development Facility in North Carolina.
In a statement issued by Waltrip Wednesday night, he pointed a finger at those responsible for preparing his car. “During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules,” Waltrip said. “This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor. This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team. As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees. Therefore, I accept the penalties issued tonight by NASCAR. “I respect NASCAR’s rules, its people and the sport’s integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed. 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.”