The ‘Gate’ being used in Victory Lane UPDATE 2: many readers noticed the while ‘gate or fence’ Winston Cup Officials held above Jeff Gordon so he couldn’t get on the roof of the car in the winners circle/victory lane. On CNN/SI’s NASCAR Plus, Benny Parsons was asked about the ‘gate’ and said he wasn’t sure why, but that it was probably to keep the driver off the top of the car so a proper insepction could be done. Last year at California, the #12 Team was penalized for having a car that was too low and it was caused by Mayfield jumping on the roof of the car, denting the spot that the inspectors measure. Otherwise have seen nothing official on the reason for the gate(10-2-2001) UPDATE: sources have confirmed that NASCAR doesnt want the drivers on the roof tops after the race for saftey and technical reasons(10-3/8-2001) UPDATE 2: Benny Parsons confirmed on CNN/SI’s NASCAR Plus that NASCAR took so much heat from everyone about the PVC Pipe fence they decided not to use it anymore. Ironic they stop using it and the #8 is too low, the thing they were trying to avoid, but Earnhardt Jr did not get on top of the car, so it is a moot point, but the ‘gate’ is gone(10-23-2001) (10-22-2001)
