TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Kevin Harvick qualified on the outside of the front row Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, but his time was disallowed after the No. 29 Chevrolet failed post-qualifying inspection.
Elliott Sadler celebrates his third Bud Pole Award of the year. Credit: Autostock
Pole winnerElliott Sadler nabs his third pole of the season Up in smokeWallace loses an engine in qualifying at Talladega
Following Harvick's qualifying run, the No. 29 Chevrolet was found to have a trio of illegalities in the rear end, sending him to rear of the field to start Sunday's UAW-Ford 500.
According to NASCAR officials, the trunk area of the race car was not properly sealed, nor was it properly vented to the outside as prescribed in the Nextel Cup Series rule book. Also, the shock doors inside the trunk area were open, rather than secured as required.
Added together, the three illegalities added rear downforce and less aerodynamic drag.
NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said penalties would likely be levied early next week.
Harvick had little to say other than "Ask (NASCAR), they don't know what they're doing from day to day."
When asked to clarify the differences between the Nos. 48 and 5 Chevrolets initially failing post-race inspection at Dover with no penalties, and the No. 29's illegality at Talladega, Hunter said NASCAR looks at each transgression singularly.
"I could understand that (sentiment), but I think every penalty is viewed as an independent penalty," Hunter said. "We've been consistent in saying that over a period of time.
"Today's penalty has nothing to do with something that happens in another race at another time."
He said the same goes for crew chief Todd Berrier, still serving season-long probation. According to Hunter, Berrier's prior transgressions had no bearing on NASCAR's decision.
The penalty creates an all-Yates front row, as pole-sitter Elliott Sadler will now share the front row with Dale Jarrett.
TALLADEGA, Ala. --When asked to clarify the differences between the Nos. 48 and 5 Chevrolets initially failing post-race inspection at Dover with no penalties, and the No. 29's illegality at Talladega, Hunter said NASCAR looks at each transgression singularly.
tell me about it! this season is the very first where in my opinion, favortism has been shown.
Trackside reported that the Over-flow nozzle on the gas tank fell down into the tank itself on the #29 and that was why Happy was headed to the back on Sunday.
October 1, 2005 TALLADEGA, Alabama (Ticker) - Crew chief Todd Berrier has been suspended for Sunday's UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway after Kevin Harvick's car failed inspection.
Harvick was the second fastest driver on the track with a lap of 189.032 mph in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Friday, but that speed was later disallowed after three violations were discovered in post-qualifying technical inspection. He will start Sunday's race from the 42nd starting position. There were some issues in the rear area of the car that did not comply with the post-qualifying inspection. The trunk did not seal properly, there was improper ventilation and the shock doors were not sealed. Berrier is still on probation because of an incident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this season when he was suspended for four races because of an illegal fuel tank. Berrier was also fined $25,000 after he admitted to rigging Harvick's gas tank in qualifying.
For Berrier's infraction, Harvick was docked 25 points, as was car owner Richard Childress.
Funny how Harvick loses 25 points but Johnson and Busch get off without any points taken.
I quote John Darby,Nextel Cup Series director:"After being tested and disassembled, all the parts and pieces are well within the confines of the rule book. However the assembly of the parts and what the shock aborber is intended to do..is not within the spirit and intent of what our shock absorber rules surround." "Simply put we perfer thatshock absorbers are used for shock absorbers, which is a device that controls thefrequency of the spring, not to be a spring assist or a jack or anything else".
Real mechanics have been playing with the rules forever. Thats called finding a loophole fellas! Get over it. I'm sure yall read this already but choose just to bash Hendricks cars cause as ussual they're kickin DEI's butt yet again. Teams that find these edges win Championships, as DEI followers you wouldn't know anything about that. ( Sr. E's been gone a while now so don't even go there!) Peace and have a good crashim up derby Sunday.
-- Edited by Speed Demon Racing at 19:59, 2005-10-01
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3 Time Lucky Dog Chase team. 2006,2007,2008. Mafia MotorSports Driver...... he who laughs last, definitely thinks slowest. Redemption 2009!
I have read up on this and its not the first time its happened. Mark was docked points for the car being to low in post race inspection, Jr had the same thing happen to him. And Johnson and Busch did the same thing early on in the year.
Biffle said, "If you guys remember, the same two race cars were docked points the third race of the season at Las Vegas. There's nothing different that happened at Dover that didn't happen there. Their cars were both too high in the tech.
Biffle said about the Dover cars "They settled out, supposedly. I was not there so I don't know but our team engineer was there and has no reason to tell me any different. He said when both cars rolled up on the grid and they put the height sticks on them, they were too high and they took pictures of them too high.
You can call it a loop, I call it cheating and Nascar didnt do anything about the #48 and #5. But we know theres no love lost between Harvick and Nascar and you see he lost 25 points
I edited this to make sure you know its not the fact that that they cheated or whatevery you call it, I think it depends on who your driver is and who got caught as to what its called. The fact is that they docked the points early on in the year for the same infration when it didnt hurt Jimmie so much, And now they let it go during the chase. I bet it makes Martin feel loved after last year. I know where your at, When Jr got docked I was defending him till I was blue in the face, But the fact was they said his car was to low and I had to deal with it. But it hurts worse when Nascar decides to change the rule and cover up or whitewash this infraction and let the parties involved slip through at such a crucial time.
It's all good bro! You gotta defend the fort. But there are differences in "parts" and "where" and "how" they" were used. I'll try to find the articule? It really goes in depth. Anyway if your not lookin for an edge, I don't want you in my garage. Thats the name of the game. Luck to all at Dega!
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3 Time Lucky Dog Chase team. 2006,2007,2008. Mafia MotorSports Driver...... he who laughs last, definitely thinks slowest. Redemption 2009!
This is what I hate about sports the most. If its a penalty or foul, call it like you see it. How many times do I have to watch Shaq take 4 steps before he dunks the ball. How about one pitcher getting a larger strike zone or the superstars getting away with murder?
If Berrier didn't get caught in the beginning of the year then I bet nothing would of happen. Not only did he get caught but informed Nascar that he would do it again. Moron! Of course, they are going to keep an eye out for you for the rest of your life.
