#88-Dale Jarretts crew chief Richard Slugger Labbe this week offered to resign over penalties handed down by NASCAR following last weekends race at Richmond. However, car owner Robert Yates rejected the offer. Yates is appealing a $25,000 fine, the loss of 25 driver and owner points as well as a four races suspension of Labbe for the way the rear sway bar was mounted. Labbe said; It wasnt that we tried to hide anything it was out in the open and its not something we did after inspection. We went through inspection with it qualified with it and all of a sudden they didnt like it. It was on there all day long the day prior and nothing was said so it’s tough. I dont think we were singled out, I think it just caught his (NASCAR inspector) eye and he didnt like the way it was. Back in February, in response to the suspension of Jimmie Johnsons crew chief Chad Kanaus after an illegal part was discovered on the #48 car [Jimmie Johnson] after qualifying, Yates said he would fire any of his crew caught cheating. Labbe told reporters at Darlington; The first thing I told Robert is I can make it easy for you I can resign if you want me to and hes like I fully support you 100% and what you did was a grey area of the rulebook. Labbe went on to say; I felt bad for Robert because hes been around this garage for a while and to label someone on his team a cheater really bothers me and I know it bothers him too. So, I feel strongly in saying Im not a cheater we pushed the rules like any other team in the garage area and it just got singled out. Many of his crew members knew what Labbe was doing with that particular part according to Labbe. I had them (His team) read the rule book and understand my thoughts. Trust me; I just didnt put it on the car hoping they (NASCAR officials) dont see it. We talked about it. We worked hard on it and felt comfortable putting it on the car because it was not clearly defined in the rulebook. If they (NASCAR) dont like it its their game you know we breathe their air. The appeal will be heard Wednesday by the National Stock Car Racing Commission.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-13-2006)
