When the NASCAR Official went under Earnhardt’s car during the spoiler inspection on Pit Road after the Daytona 500, it was to remove the transponder which scores laps for each car. Part of the procedure after a race is to check each cars transponder back into their possession to be sure the signal tracked for that car was right as a final check of scoring. Since the transponder is rather easily removed from it’s bracket they thought it prudent to get it before victory lane to avoid any problems with it becoming a souvenir.(2-17-98) (02-17-1998)
