Sitting side by side, for anyone in the garage interested in looking, an intake manifold submitted by Dodge and approved by NASCAR and an illegal manifold taken from the #74 MyGuardian911.com Dodge of McGlynn Racing and driven by Derrike Cope [who will make his 400th career start at Texas on Sunday]. Raynard McGlynn of Wilkes Barrie, PA owns McGlynn Racing. John Darby, NEXTEL Cup Series Director of Competition, jokingly commented the infraction, exterior illegal modifications, was “too cool” to warrant a penalty. On the serious side, Darby commented it wasn’t “Tuesday” the day NASCAR typically issues penalties for infractions from the previous weekend. Specifically, the illegal manifold violated rule 20-5.9G, which states external modifications are not permitted unless specifically approved by the Series Director. Darby did clearly not approve the modifications to the confiscated manifold. Tom Durse, crew chief on the #74, hopes NASCAR is lenient with what he describes as a “young team,” despite his admittance, “Once we bolt a part onto the car and present it to NASCAR we own it and we’re responsible for it.” Should a penalty be issued Durse is also hoping NASCAR concentrates on points versus money. “Right now the points are not nearly as important to us as the money. We’re a struggling operation that has is running the full season for the first time after two years of running a limited schedule.”(CircleTrackPlus), with the #74 probably being a post-entry [not entered before the deadline] and not getting any points, it may end up being a money fine and taking away some of the team’s existing points.(4-9-2006)
