April 14, 2013
- Truex, Jr’s car too low UPDATE: NASCAR determined that second place finisher #56-Martin Truex, Jr’s car was “too low in the front” in postrace inspection. NASCAR will examine it further and address any possible penalties early in the week.(4-14-2013)
UPDATE: Martin Truex Jr. faces a possible six-point penalty for the front of his car being too low following his second-place finish in the NRA 500 Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway. Crew chief Chad Johnston said the shocks on Truex’s car would not rebound after the race. “We tried to pull the shaft out of the body, and it’s just (stuck),” he said. “There’s something going on, whether it’s debris (inside) or parts and pieces of the shock.” NASCAR will announce any penalties in the next few days. Being too low in tech cost Kyle Busch six points in 2011 and a $25,000 fine for his crew chief.(Sporting News)(4-14-2013) - Keselowski lashes out at NASCAR: #2-Brad Keselowski lashed out at NASCAR officials after Saturday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway because of NASCAR inspectors forcing his team to change the rear-end housing in the #2 Ford before the race. Both cars for Penske Racing, including teammate #22-Joey Logano, had to make the change moments before the race. Logano barely made it out in time for the green flag. Logano started in the back, but finished fifth. Keselowski finished ninth. “I have one good thing to say,” Keselowski said. “That’s my team and effort they put in today in fighting back with the absolute bull that’s been the last seven days in this garage area. The things I’ve seen over the last seven days have me questioning everything that I believe in, and I’m not happy about it. I don’t have anything positive to say and I probably should just leave it at that.”
But he didn’t. Knowing major penalties are likely for his team, the defending Sprint Cup champion made his feelings clear. “There’s so much stuff going on … you have no f—— idea what’s going on,” he said. “And that’s not your fault and that’s not a slam on you. I could tell you there’s nobody, no team in this garage with the integrity of the 2 team. And the way we’ve been treated over the last seven days is absolutely shameful. I feel like we’ve been targeted over the last seven days more than I’ve ever seen a team targeted. But my guys kept their heads on straight and they showcased why they are a winning team and championship team. We’re not going to take it. We’re not going to be treated this way.”(see more at ESPN.com)(4-14-2013) - NASCAR takes parts from both Penske cars UPDATES: Sprint Cup champion #2-Brad Keselowski, teammate #22-Joey Logano and their Penske Racing teams face potential penalties as NASCAR confiscated rear-end housing parts and pieces from their cars during prerace inspection Saturday at Texas Motor Speedways. The teams frantically worked to replace the pieces an hour prior to the scheduled start of the NRA 500. “We’re taking (rear-end) housing and some other things. & It’s a group of pieces that surrounds the rear suspension area,” NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. “It’s just something that is not in the spirit of the rules.” Pemberton said the sanctioning body would not eject the crew chiefs from the speedways and the drivers would keep their starting positions for the race Saturday night. Any penalties could be announced as early as Monday, although NASCAR typically waits until Tuesday to announce penalties. Possible penalties typically could include points penalties, fines and crew suspensions. (Sporting News)(4-13-2013)
UPDATE: Keselowski was able to keep his 16th-place starting spot. But both teams might be in for penalties due to parts that Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president for competition, told reporters were “not in the spirit of the rule.” “In pre-race inspection they felt like there was something that was a questionable item that they wanted replaced,” said Travis Geisler, Penske’s director of competition. “We replaced all the parts in question. They have them all. We’re working through the process here as it goes to get through inspection. Unfortunately a little tighter timeline here than we’d like to be on, but I certainly understand their position and don’t disagree with where they are.” The Penske vehicles were the last two vehicles in the garage area, and Keselowski’s car successfully cleared the laser inspection platform as driver introductions wound down. Crewmen continued to scramble under the rear of the #22 car, which needed three passes to get though the laser platform, and passed the final stages of inspection just as the command to start engines was given. “That’s what these guys do for a living, so it’s not really a crisis,” Geisler said of the 11th-hour changeover. “We do those kinds of things during practice at times. Everybody’s set up for it. It’s obviously not expected at this point in the day, but that’s racing. You have to expect the unexpected, and that’s the way it goes.” Having gotten the cars on track in time for the start of the race, the Penske team now faces the prospect of penalties from NASCAR. “We always have a good, open dialogue with them. They’ll keep us in the loop about how they feel about what’s going on there,” Geisler said. “I’m sure well all discuss that in the upcoming days.”(NASCAR.com)(4-14-2013) - Labonte sick, Bliss on standby UPDATE: JTG Daugherty Racing tweeted, “#47-Bobby Labonte has a stomach virus. He plans to race the #47 BUSH’S Toyota. Mike Bliss will be on standby according to Bobby Hutchens.”(4-13-2013)
UPDATE: Bobby Labonte stayed on a short list of NASCAR drivers who have started every Sprint Cup race in Texas – barely. Labonte, who grew up in South Texas, was battling a stomach virus and planned to start Saturday night before giving way to a backup driver. He made it through 40 laps, but planned replacement Mike Bliss was still on the track in his own car. Labonte took his #47 Toyota to the garage and went to the infield care center while his team waited for a backup. Eventually, Labonte’s crew had to scramble to fit the seat for Michael McDowell after he parked his ride. The crew had already worked on fitting the car for Bliss. By making the start, Labonte joined Jeff Burton, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to start all 25 Cup races in Texas. (Associated Press)(4-14-2013)
Main Page | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997