by Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen
Member since:
August 5, 2006

What Do You Think About Kenseth, Kahne and Waltrip's Cars?

February 12, 2007 09:50 AM EST (Updated: February 12, 2007 10:53 AM EST)
views: 48 | comments: 17

During inspections Sunday ,  Nascar discovered some unauthorized aerodynamic devices on Matt Kenseth's and Kasey Kahne's cars.  This means that their qualifying times for the Dual 150s will be scrapped and they will start on the last row. 

Michael Waltrip's car had something oily in the manifold and the manifold was confiscated.  This happened before he went out to qualify so another manifild was put on the car and he ran his qualifying laps. Nascar impounded the car following the run and have not said when it will be released.  It is probable that he will be driving Thursday in his back up car and from the back row.

I feel that Nascar must have strict inspection rules and levy the fair and appropriate penalties for not adhering to them.  It is the driver whose name is associated with the infraction and in truth the crew chief is the one who makes decisions about the car. Whether or not the driver knows about the crew chief's decision, ultimately the driver gets most of the dirt rubbed off on him.

We saw an instance of this last year when Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson, was suspended for infractions.  The team overcame this adversity and went on to win the Cup series championship.

What do you feel should be Nascar's response to  Sunday's qualifier inspection infractions?

Do you think Nascar is too strict or not strict enough?
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Comments: 17

Nana to Seven Cutiepies Feb 12, 2007, 11:26am EST
It depends on the rule. A lot of them are to make racing safer for the drivers. They seem silly or bad to us but if I was behind the wheel, I think I would appreciate the rule if it was for safety issues. I think they name the driver so people reading or hearing the infractions can relate to the issue easier. Most of us know the team by the driver or car number. Most racing enthusiast understand that it is the team, not the driver. Without rules some racing teams, the ones with the most money and knowledge, would win more races due to this advantage and racing would not be as safe as it is.
Jennifer St.Antoine Feb 12, 2007, 12:40pm EST
I think that SOME infractions are "accidental" vs those purposely done to increase the chance of winning and then some are just taking advantage of as far as they can go hoping they aren't breaking the rules - that is more of an envelope pushing thing. Pushing the envelope is one thing, but outright cheating is wrong. But then someone has to define what is the difference between the two and I guess that is Nascar. If Nascar wasn't making sure that they followed the rules, it seems the teams would be out of control and it would be even more that those with the most toys win.
Johnny Gregory Feb 12, 2007, 4:05pm EST
I know so little about the rules for car racing, but I think rules are for a reason and should be obeyed. Those that try to get an unfair advantage by breaking these rules, (which they should obviously know) then they should be punished, whether it is the team or one individual.
Scott L. Feb 12, 2007, 5:25pm EST
Show's how clueless about racing I am. I never thought there were any rules like that. Isn't the point to be as aerodynamic as possible?
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Feb 12, 2007, 6:19pm EST
The aero package on a,ll of the cars racing in Nascar have to meet certain standards and the go through technical inspection every race. It is getting more all the time like they are racing cookie cutter cars.
elizabeth e. Feb 12, 2007, 6:48pm EST
I'm with Scott...don't know a darn thing about Nascar racing but I'm willing to learn.
Jeff D. Feb 13, 2007, 7:44pm EST
All the rules are put in place for one of several reasons. These reasons vary from keeping the driver as safe as possible (We miss you Dale), to ensure the safety of the pit crews (speed limits on Pit road) , to equalizing the cars (giving the low budget and independants a fair shake). To violate these rules intentionally, in my opinion, is about the same as doping blood in the Olympics, or steroids in sports. If you have to cheat to win, then get out. That's why I loved the IROC series. All the cars were identical and worked on by the same mechanics. The drivers didn't know which car they drew until after the cars were finished. Kind of hard to cheat if you don't know which car to "fix".
Jennifer St.Antoine Feb 14, 2007, 7:15pm EST
Now that I've had an opportunity to read more in depth on this, I have to say that I agree with Nascar coming down on them. One, they have been warning the teams about this for some time. Two, the teams made modifications. Three, they got caught and now they have to pay the consequences.

I thought the on camera interview with Mikey was interesting, though, because he comes across as such a "not a cheater" kind of guy, his avoiding looking at the interviewer and the camera throughout it really made him have that guilty look about him. I'm really interested to hear what Nascar finds in his car and parts.
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Feb 14, 2007, 10:37pm EST
It doesn't look good for Mikey for the Daytona race. Apparently the substance found in his manifolds was an illegal substance. He might not get to be in the 500 this year.
Charles D. Feb 15, 2007, 3:51am EST
I am heading back to the dirt track here around Owensboro Kentucky. NASCAR's long arms doesn't reach here and I am tired of Brian France. I have never heard of a fuel additive leaving a vaseline residue before on an intake manifold. Fuel additives do not leave residue only an unusual smell. Oil and oil additives do leave an oily residue but it collects in the engine and shortens it's life. It wasn't jet fuel or a jet fuel additive since it would have burnt the piston rings and seals in the engine. The only people who would suggest such foolishness know nothing about car engines and shouldn't report on racing to begin with.

If you were the owner of a new race team at the biggest show in the sport, wouldn't you be nervous too? If this was your first offence after 23 years of racing in NASCAR wouldn't you act a little distracted? He had a good idea, since he knows NASCAR so well, that his new team was in trouble. It is sad that someone choose to do this and it is sad it happened to one of the sports' true ambassadors. Mikey will race in the Duel's but got no practice in the car. I doubt he will make the race and I will not watch it on Sunday. In Mikey's world if he doesn't race then we don't watch that race!
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Feb 15, 2007, 8:49am EST
I too am very sorry about the Waltrip situation as Mikey is one of my favorite racers. That is why I did not go into detail on what was said about the manifolds, though I had some inside info. I hope that the 500 gets the season off to a good start. I wish all the drivers and spectators a safe race.
Jennifer St.Antoine Feb 15, 2007, 4:11pm EST
I have to admit it's pretty shocking. I think of Michael Waltrip as one of the spokespeople of nascar overall. The thing about these kinds of situations is that on the outside, we never really will know what happened. We'll never know who thought tinkering would be a good idea and how that went down. It' s a shocker and really a black mark for Michael and for Toyota.
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Feb 15, 2007, 4:16pm EST
Well Michael drove hard today and won his way into the 500 Sunday. Go Michael
Dawn R. Feb 17, 2007, 2:35am EST
All the controversy sure makes for another interesting start this year. The 48 team bounced back to win the Daytona 500 last year and then finished with the championship. Kahne, Kenseth and Gordon will recover quickly. I'm not so sure about Michael Waltrip.
John Beamish Feb 28, 2007, 6:48am EST
I have followed NASCAR for several years and feel if you carry the bowtie on the hood you get one set of rules from all the other brands. JJ (48) after being nailed last year went on later in the year to win a race only to have it discovered the team had infracted the rules yet suffered not serious retribution. He was even allowed to keep his win. Yeah thats in the true spirt of sport! As a Ford (Matt Kenseth) fan I might be a tad bias though. lol

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