April 2, 2015
- #31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team Penalized For Rules Violations UPDATE RCR appeals:The #31 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been penalized for rules infractions discovered as a result of NASCAR’s post-event tire audit conducted following the March 22 race at Auto Club Speedway. These infractions amount to a P5 level penalty and violate the following Sections in the 2015 NASCAR rule book:
12.1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
20.16: Wheels and tires
A. Any device, modification, or procedure to the tire or wheel, including the valve stem hardware, that is used to release pressure, beyond normal pressure adjustments, from the tire and/or inner shield, will not be permitted.
20.16.2: Tires
F. Modifications to the tires, by treatment or any other means, will not be permitted.
Section 12.5.3.5.1 lists P5 Penalty Violation examples that could include but are not limited to:
A. Effecting, modifying and/or altering the standard tires in any way, other than through authorized means such as tire pressure adjustments within the recommended range, permitted tire cooling when mounted on the race vehicle; or heat-cycling on the race vehicle on the race track earlier in the event.
12.5.3.5.2: Minimum P5 Penalty Options (includes all four points below):
A. Loss of 50 championship driver and owner points, regardless of whether the violation occurred during a Championship race or not
B. $75,000-$125,000 fine
C. Suspension for the next six series Championship Races, plus any non-championship races or special events which might occur during that time period, for the crew chief and any other team members as determined by NASCAR
D. Probation through the end of the calendar year for all suspended members, or for a six-month period following the issuance of the penalty notice if that period spans across two consecutive seasons
12.5.3.5.3: P5 Level infractions detected during post-race inspection:
If the infraction is detected during post-race inspection, then the following penalty elements will be added to those listed previously in this section:
A. Loss of an additional 25 Championship driver and owner points; regardless of whether it was a Championship Race or not
B. Loss of an additional $50,000
As a result of these violations, crew chief Luke Lambert has been fined a total of $125,000 ($75,000 plus $50,000), suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship races, plus any non-championship races or special events which might occur during that time period, and been placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. James Bender, team tire technician, and Philip Surgen, team engineer, have been suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship races, plus any non-championship races or special events which might occur during that time period, and been placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.
Driver Ryan Newman and car owner Richard Childress each have been penalized with the loss of 75 (50 plus 25) championship driver and championship car owner points.
“NASCAR takes very seriously its responsibility to govern and regulate the rules of the sport in order to ensure competitive balance,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. “We’ve been very clear that any modifications to race vehicle tires is an unacceptable practice and will not be tolerated.”(NASCAR)
See the Revised Sprint Cup Series Points page after #31 Penalty(pdf).(3-31-2015)
UPDATE – RCR appeals #31 penalties: Richard Childress Racing has appealed the penalties NASCAR levied against Ryan Newman’s #31 team for allegedly manipulating tires. NASCAR this week said tires taken from Newman after the March 22 race in California failed an independent inspection and had been altered to intentionally release air pressure during the race. No date for the appeal was set Thursday.(Associated Press)
AND: RCR requested deferral of penalties w/appeal. NASCAR granted for suspension & fines, but not for points. If they prevail, points reinstated.(Tweet from David Higdon, VP Integrated Marketing Communications of NASCAR)(4-2-2015)
- Latest on Kyle Larson UPDATE3: #42-Kyle Larson watched Sunday’s NASCAR race on a laptop in a hospital after failing to get medical clearance to drive after fainting during an autograph session. Larson was in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was taken for further testing. “He’s good. No change since he woke up from fainting,” team owner Chip Ganassi said from the IndyCar Series season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida. All tests have come back negative, and the team maintains Larson feels fine. But doctors at Carolina’s Medical Center, where Larson traveled to by helicopter Saturday night after leaving Martinsville Memorial Hospital, are giving him a battery of tests. Larson is also seeing a neurologist in North Carolina as a precaution. “You are trying to do the right thing and you want to be safe, and you want to err on the side of safety,” Ganassi said. “I want to respect the professionals and respect what they are saying, but we want to be realistic, too.” Dr. Jerry Petty, a neurosurgeon who works closely with many NASCAR teams, has visited Larson. A member of NASCAR’s care center team also has assisted.(Associated Press)(3-30-2015)
UPDATE Larson still in hospital: As of 6:00pm/et Monday [March 30th], #42-Kyle Larson remains in a Charlotte hospital, where tests are ongoing to determine why he fainted during an autograph session Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. A spokesperson for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates told FOX Sports 1 reporter Alan Cavana that the team hoped Larson would be released sometime Monday night. The team spokesman said so far all of the tests have come back negative and that Larson is feeling well and in good spirits. Larson missed Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway, where his seat was filled by Regan Smith, who finished 16th. With six races complete on the season, Larson is 24th in points.(FoxSports)(3-30-2015)
UPDATE2: Statement from Target Chop Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates regarding Kyle Larson: “After extensive testing and observation over the last few days, Kyle Larson was released from the hospital last night and has finished up final tests today. He is currently waiting for final doctor recommendations in order to clear him to return to all NASCAR related activities.”(CGR)(3-31-2015)
UPDATE3: Kyle Larson has been cleared to race after last weekend’s fainting spell and will return to the track next weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Chip Ganassi Racing made the announcement Thursday, three days after Larson was released from a Charlotte hospital where he underwent extensive testing. “I feel great right now, and I felt perfectly fine shortly after I fainted the other day,” Larson said in a NASCAR teleconference Tuesday. “But yeah, I just had to get a lot of tests run on me to make sure nothing serious was wrong with me, and all the tests came back negative. Yeah, the whole time I felt fine, and hated it that I couldn’t race this weekend in the Target Chevy, but Regan (Smith) did a really good job, and just got to thank all the doctors and nurses for how thorough they were with me.”
Larson, the 2014 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year, was hospitalized Saturday after fainting during an autograph session at Martinsville. “Well, I felt fine before we went to the autograph session,” Larson said. “I got through to the end of it, and I was just talking to one more fan, the last person there really, and just started getting light-headed and tried to lean forward and maybe see if that fixed it, and then I passed out. “I don’t know, it was just kind of a weird morning just because I was almost late to practice, so I just rushed myself that morning and didn’t take very good care of myself throughout the day and just ended up dehydrating myself. Just got to do a better job of taking care of myself, and that should never happen again.”.(CGR)(4-2-2015)
- BMS to add SAFER before April race: Statement from Executive Vice President and General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, Jerry Caldwell, regarding the additional installation of SAFER barrier walls at Bristol Motor Speedway: “The safety of our fans and competitors continues to be a focal point for Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway. “SMI engineers and NASCAR reevaluated the track and made additional recommendations. We’ve been able to secure an additional 600 feet of SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers and will complete the build out of the front and backstretch outside walls before the Food City 500 race weekend.”(BMS)(4-2-2015)
- More SAFER to be added at Michigan: Statement from Michigan International Speedway (MIS) President Roger Curtis on Safety Initiatives: Following a significant review of the facility by International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and NASCAR, additional safety measures will be implemented prior to the June NASCAR weekend. Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) will be added to pit in and pit out walls and tire pack barriers will be installed at the angled wall inside Turn 1. Additionally, the infield at the exit of pit road will be paved to function as a skid pad and pace car vehicle entry and exit. Upon the conclusion of the August NASCAR weekend and installed in time for the 2016 racing season, Michigan International Speedway will add SAFER to outside walls on the frontstretch and backstretch as well as the pit tri-oval wall. “The safety of our guests, competitors and staff is our number one priority,” said Roger Curtis, MIS president. “We will continue to review our facility and provide updates as circumstances warrant.”(MIS)(4-2-2015)
- Tyler Andrew Walker sentenced to jail: A 5th District Court Judge sentenced a former NASCAR driver Monday to 90 days in jail, a $1,665 fine and 36 months of probation in a high-speed car chase case from January 2013. Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker, 35, appeared before 5th District Court for sentencing on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges – including third-degree felony failure to stop at the command of a police officer, third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance, a class B misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, a class B misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia and a class C misdemeanor possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle -which he pleaded guilty to in December 2014. Walker’s charges stem from his arrest in St. George following a car chase through Nevada, Arizona and Utah on Jan. 30, 2013, that reached speeds of 150 mph. Judge Eric A. Ludlow sentenced Walker to zero to five years in the Utah State Prison on two third-degree felony counts. Ludlow also sentenced Walker to two terms of 180 days on two class B misdemeanor counts and a term of 90 days for both a third-degree felony and class C misdemeanor at a state jail. All but 90 days of the jail time was suspended. Ludlow also ordered Walker to serve 36 months of supervised probation. Upon his release, Walker will undergo a substance abuse evaluation and report to Adult Probation and Parole. “Tyler’s in a better spot than he was two years ago,” Walker’s attorney Trevor D. Terry said. “He was living a pretty lavish lifestyle at the time. That is not the case anymore, and I think it’s for his benefit.” Terry said Walker now drives “an old, beat-up Prius” and works for his family’s company. Both of Walker’s parents appeared in court to support him. Walker addressed the court to apologize for his poor judgment. “The last two weeks have given me a lot of alone time to write out a lot of goals for me without distractions,” Walker said. “It has given me a clarity on my life and where I’d like for it to go. I can succeed, and I’m going to work my butt off to do everything that you ask of me. I will never be late or show any disrespect again, and I apologize for that as well.” Walker has been held in Purgatory Correctional Facility since being arrested on a no-bail warrant after showing up late to his previously scheduled sentencing hearing on March 16. While in custody, a court-ordered drug test detected amphetamine salts and marijuana, both of which he has a prescription for in California, Terry said. Walker’s issues with substance abuse led to his suspension from NASCAR in 2007 after allegedly failing a drug test. He is still facing legal fallout from the high-speed chase in Arizona and was scheduled to appear in a Mohave County court last week to address an alleged probation violation, which has been rescheduled due to his incarceration.(The Spectrum)(4-2-2015)
- Moffitt back in the #55 at Texas: Brett Moffitt will drive the #55 Aaron’s Toyota of Michael Waltrip Racing at Texas Motor Speedway on April 11th (MWR Facebook). Moffitt has subbed for Brian Vickers in the last two races (Auto Club and Martinsville) in the #55 Toyota as Vickers sits out due to recurring blood clots. MWR has not named a driver past the Texas race. Moffitt is also running for the Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.(4-2-2015)
- 811 Logo featured on #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford in five races: The #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion of Joey Logano, will help raise awareness about the importance of safe digging during five races in 2015. Shell Pipeline Company L.P. and the Common Ground Alliance are working with Team Penske on the program, which will highlight 811, the national “Call Before You Dig” hotline, at the races immediately preceding and following National 811 Day on August 11:
July 11 at Kentucky; July 26 at Indy; August 9 at Watkins Glen; August 16 at Michigan; and November 1 at Martinsville.
“We’re bringing back this program for a seventh year because it’s such an important cause. Every time we display the 811 logo on the decklid of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion in a race the Common Ground Alliance sees an increase in 811 calls,” said Greg Smith, President of SPLC. “When somebody starts a digging project without calling 811, they run the risk of damaging pipelines, or knocking out power or gas to an entire neighborhood, for which they can be held financially responsible. It’s critical that everyone remember to call before digging, even for small projects like planting trees or shrubs.”
“We are proud to continue to support Shell in the longstanding work they do to further awareness of safe digging practices,” said Roger Penske. “Just like Joey has a spotter to let him know whether or not it is clear before he makes a move on the track, 811 helps you make sure you are clear to break ground.”
For more information about safe digging practices and what you can do to avoid causing injury or damaging infrastructure, visit www.call811.com.(SPLC/Common Ground Alliance), see an image of the scheme on the #22 Team Schemes page.(4-2-2015)
- MAKE Motorsports celebrates five years: Today marks the five year anniversary of the first race that the MAKE Motorsports organization qualified for their first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway. The #50 entered and qualified for that race in 2010 marking the inception of the family owned and ran team. MAKE Motorsports is owned by Mark Beaver and Tracy Lowe. The team started with one truck that is famously known as “Porky”. This truck is still in the MAKE chassis fleet having last raced a week ago at Martinsville Speedway. This truck is the reason that all of MAKE’s chassis are named after pigs. Since then MAKE has added four more trucks and three Xfinity cars to their fleet. Since their inception, MAKE Motorsports has attempted nearly 100 races with multiple drivers across the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. They have run a full season in 2014 and expanded to a two-truck team in 2015.(MAKE Motorsports)(4-2-2015)
- Wauters to return with Quiroga UPDATE: Wauters Motorsports is returning to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition with driver German Quiroga. The team will document their return via a web series, owner Wauters announced on a video posted to the team’s social media accounts. The series is set to launch this coming Sunday. Last season, the Wauters team ran eight races before driver John Wes Townley left the team. Quiroga ran the entire 22-race schedule with Red Horse Racing and finished sixth in driver points with 10 top-10 finishes and three top-fives.((Wauters Motorsports)(3-20-2015)
UPDATE: Wauters Motorsports and three-time NASCAR Mexico Champion German Quiroga are excited to introduce “Nation Rising”. Nation Rising is a hybrid digital series that will follow Quiroga as he competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in this 24/7-access, no-filter series. NASCAR fans are some of the most dedicated and loyal sports fans in the world. Now, these fans have the ability to experience the racing world like they never have before. The Nation Rising’s goal is to have a 10 minute episode air the Monday after each race, starting May 11th for a total of 22 episodes. Combined with the excitement of NASCAR, this 24/7 in-depth series will show people across the world what it takes to race in one of the biggest sporting leagues as Nation Rising follows German Quiroga all season. Through Kickstarter, Nation Rising has launched this campaign where the fans have the opportunity to have their name, their face, on the No. 5 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota Tundra each week. These fans will be the sponsors. The Nation Rising Kickstarter campaigns goal is to raise three million dollars so Quiroga and Wauters can launch the first web based series May 11, 2015 after competing in the Kansas Speedway NCWTS event Friday, May 8, 2015. Jose Jimenez who is an experienced cinematographer will produce and edit the Nation Rising video vignettes. Quiroga has five top-five, 17 top-10 finishes and one pole starting position in just 50 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts. The Mexico native posted his best points finish of sixth place in the 2014 NCWTS driver points. Team owner, Richie Wauters has 17 wins in his tenure with Kyle Busch, Aric Almirola and Shane Hmiel.(Wauters Motorsports)(4-2-2015)
- Watkins Glen President, Michael Printup assumes Americrown role, to continue as President:International Speedway Corporation announced that Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup will assume additional responsibilities within the company, including managerial oversight of Americrown, effective immediately. While continuing in his current role with the historic New York road course, Printup will lead the Americrown team in strategy for profitability, a successful execution of Daytona Rising food and beverage, and enhancing overall value and operations. Printup will also continue with his oversight of Michigan International Speedway, according to an ISC release. “I am very excited to take on this additional responsibility within ISC,” Printup said. “I look forward to working closely with all of those involved with Americrown, while moving forward with my role at Watkins Glen International.” Americrown, formed in 1989, is the leader in motorsports catering, concessions and merchandise sales and service. Operating at 12 NASCAR-sanctioned tracks nationwide, Americrown serves millions of race fans annually.(WGI)(4-2-2015)
- Texas Motor Speedway to place tire packs at five locations UPDATE: Texas Motor Speedway will present additional safety devices when its racing season begins next week with a NASCAR doubleheader. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns TMS, began reviewing its facilities after Kyle Busch’s hard crash into an unprotected concrete wall at Daytona International Speedway in the season-opening Xfinity race. Busch incurred a broken right leg and left foot and has not returned. SMI assigned a group of consultants and engineers review TMS’ 11/2-mile track on Sunday. They recommended adding 244 linear feet of tire packs in five locations. That includes spaces of 33 feet in Turn 1 and 29 feet in Turn 4. TMS immediately went to work implementing the suggestions, at its expense. The track expects the tire packs to be installed in time for the first events of the season: the Xfinity O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on April 10 and the Sprint Cup Duck Commander 500 the following evening. The tire packs are a short-term answer. In the off-season, when the material is available, TMS is expected to replace them with the more advanced and more expensive SAFER barrier.(Dallas Morning News)(4-1-2015)
UPDATE: Texas Motor Speedway, following the recommendations and guidance of NASCAR officials, completed a two-day installation project Wednesday to add 250 feet of tire barriers in preparation for next week’s Duck Commander 500 NASCAR doubleheader weekend. The tire bundles were added to five inner wall areas of the 1.5-mile oval per the instruction of NASCAR as to the specific locations, length of runs and general construction of the safety addition. The inner wall at the exit of pit lane was the most wide-ranging area with 115 feet of tire bundles while areas near pit lane entry, the jet truck staging area in Turn 1 and emergency vehicle cut-out areas in turns 1 and 4 varied between 30 and 35 feet each. Approximately 450 tires were used in constructing the barriers, which will complement the existing, extensive SAFER Barrier system that encompasses the majority of the walls.
The tire bundles, which consist of a combination of racing and street tires, are bolted together using heavy-duty nuts, bolts and washers. The tires are secured to the wall with a 3/8-inch cable that runs through the top row of tires of each tire bundle as well as cable clamps that are also used on the speedway’s wheel fence. The purpose of the cable is to minimize the tires becoming dislodged should they be heavily impacted.(TMS)(4-2-2015)
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