NASCAR officials confiscated the carburetor from Michael Waltrip’s #15 Chevy during pre-qualifying inspection Thursday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Winston Cup series director John Darby said the carburetor had problems with openings through which air travels. Larger openings theoretically can mean increased horsepower, especially at Daytona and Talladega where NASCAR mandates speed-reducing carburetor restrictor plates. Darby said Waltrip’s Dale Earnhardt Inc.-owned team will likely be penalized. No penalties are expected until early next week, however. Waltrip, who won the season-opening Daytona 500, said he was not aware of any problems on his car when asked about it Thursday afternoon. Waltrip’s car was also found to have unapproved window braces. The carburetor, as well as other unapproved parts confiscated Thursday, will be placed on display at the NASCAR hauler on Friday, Darby said.( ThatsRacin.com )(7-3-2003) AND Kyle Petty ‘s #45 Dodge had unapproved rear jacking bolts confiscated during an inspection before practice.( Roanoke Times ) ALSO: taken was an unapproved spring from the #09 Dodge of Buckshot Jones.( ThatsRacin.com )(7-4-2003) UPDATE: An illegal carburetor discovered during inspection at Daytona was expected to bring a penalty, possibly a two-week suspension, for Richard Slugger Labbe, crew chief for #15-Michael Waltrip. Expect Bobby Kennedy, Waltrip’s Busch Series crew chief, to make the calls on race day, if needed.( Sporting News )(7-7-2003)
