Michael Waltrip’s #55 Toyota has been confiscated by NASCAR. Forget about what those other crew chiefs did, this team has gotten itself into the some serious trouble. I wonder if Michael knew all along? When he was interviewed during qualifying for the Daytona 500 this past Sunday he didn’t seem to be his normal gregarious self.
Here’s more from the NASCAR press release:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2007) – NASCAR announced Wednesday that it has confiscated the primary car of the No. 55 Toyota team that competes in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with driver Michael Waltrip, as a result of rule violations found during pre- and post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. Crew chief Larry (David) Hyder and the team’s vice president of competition Bobby Kennedy have been ejected from this week’s events at Daytona International Speedway and suspended indefinitely. Hyder also has been fined $100,000.
NASCAR also penalized Waltrip with the loss of 100 driver championship points. His qualifying time from pole day on Feb. 11 was disallowed. Team owner Elizabeth (Buffy) Waltrip has been penalized 100 car owner championship points.
The actions taken by NASCAR resulted from violations of 12- 4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules) and 20-15.2C (gasoline must not be blended with alcohols, ethers or other oxygenates).
The confiscated car and the parts related to the violations will be transported to the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. for further inspection.
NASCAR said the investigation of the confiscated car is ongoing.
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I’m watching NASCAR Drivers: Non-Stop on ESPN2 right now. The show follows Clint Bowyer, J.J. Yeley, Casey Mears, David Gilliland and Jeremy Mayfield , amongst others, on and off the race track. The footage is from last year’s race season. It’s great! Take my word for it.
What’s better than seeing Jeremy Mayfield sitting at home completely frustrated that he’s not out there racing with everyone else? Ever since he was ousted from Evernham in August I was dying to know what he was doing with himself and this show answered all of my questions. Besides watching the races he spent time bowling with his wife, building a new massive house and, as i’ve noted in the title, he spent some time blowing up watermelons.
Jeremy will be back this year in the #36 360 OTC Toyota Camry for Bill Davis Racing.
The show also confirmed my feelings about Clint Bowyer. I once compared him to Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the suggestion of sports writer John Dugan. But I think that Clint really bares a striking resemblance to actor Steve Martin. What do you think?
Also on ESPN2 today is Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era. Here’s some info from the show’s press release:
Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era is an 11-episode, documentary television series that chronicles Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota’s new partnership in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.
In the premiere episode, Waltrip breaks ground at his new fabrication shop and announces to his staff that ESPN2 will document all of the exciting developments for the new race team. He also visits Toyota Racing Development to see the new Toyota Camry stock car and Toyota executives explain why the company is partnering with the team and entering NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing.
“This show was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to build a race team and give the fans an inside look into everything that goes into it,” said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner. “From hiring the crew, to applying information about rules and competition, and seeing how it all comes together — that’s what this story is about.”
In the past I’ve talked a lot about the guys in NASCAR that I don’t like. I would hate to be thought of as always being negative. So to counteract that, I’m listing the drivers that I dig.
1.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. — Duh. I don’t think I need to explain this one. Just read my old blog entries.
2.) Michael Waltrip – He’s gotta be the most hilarious driver in the NEXTEL Cup Series. He’s always got something to say and you can count on him for great quotes. Although, since he left DEI he hasn’t been running up front as much, well, at all. I hope his new team with Toyota next year can stand out and be competitive.
3.) Casey Mears – Casey Mears looks like a teddy bear (see photo). This isn’t really why I like him but it helps. I think I like him because I don’t know that much about him. He hasn’t won a race in the Cup series yet and I want to see him win.
4.) Carl Edwards – Ah, Cousin Carl. I dig him, even though he retaliated against Dale Jr. after a race earlier this year. I love his story of handing out business cards at the track trying to network his way into NASCAR. I’m a sucker for creativity. He’s also one of the best actors in NASCAR right now. Ya know that Gillette Young Guns commercial where Ryan Newman shaves his number 12 into everyone’s facial hair? Well I think Carl should get an award for his convincing delivery of the word “Newman!” Bravo!
Hmm… That’s all I can come up with for right now. I’m sure I’ll be adding more to the list as time goes on. And this doesn’t mean that I don’t dislike any of the drivers that I haven’t mentioned. I’ll write up a list of all the drivers that irk me at a later date. hehe.
