I guess now we understand why the #29 is doing so well this year
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I guess now we understand why the #29 is doing so well this year
I have to say, both sides have made some compelling arguments on this issue. I'm glad I'm not on this jury. :D
More details from http://www.jayski.com
The Appellants requested and were granted a deferral of the suspensions and fine until such time as this hearing could be convened.
The Appellants did not contest that the car measured out of specifications upon inspection.
The Appellants argued that, having received a warning about the car body of the #33 car being “too close” following the Richmond race, that it was inconceivable that they would bring a non-conforming car to New Hampshire.
They argued that the left rear frame member was actually bent upward as a result of the car being pushed towards Victory Lane by a wrecker after the post-race burnouts, which resulted in the left rear measurement “hard point” being too high. To this end, they also presented an accident reconstruction specialist to demonstrate that a wrecker might bend up the left rear strut in the trunk under certain conditions. The specialists, however, indicated that such an occurrence would strictly affect the left rear because of the match-up between the wrecker pushbar and the angle of the racecar’s rear bumper. He went on to say that the corresponding right rear measurements should not be affected, in his view, nor the frame member deformed as a team representative had alleged.
The Appellants also contested the severity and timing of the penalty.
Claims that the wrecker caused the infraction were negated by the telemetry from the car which did not show a sharp impact spike; by the fact that the rear template still fit snugly across the entire rear of the car; by a visual inspection of the rear of the car which showed nothing of note in the way of damage; and a visual review of the videotape of post race assistance tendered by the wrecker which appeared as relatively gentle pushing.
Of significance to the Panel were some additional facts which came to light during the hearing. Particularly of note were the facts that both rear hard points, left and right, were high, and that the rear of the body was offset on the frame.
The Panel found that the penalties were consistent for infractions of this magnitude.
Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties.
The periods of suspension shall be adjusted from the date of the hearing.
The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer. The Appellants submitted such a request and the fee immediately after the conclusion of the hearing.
John Capels
Lyn St James
Waddell Wilson
George Silbermann - Appellate Administrator and non-voting member.(NASCAR)(9-29-2010)
So basically the car was high according to the templates in Charlotte, and NOT the ones at the track. So Bowyer's car was like a hair too high even after all the silly stuff with the wrecker? Yet the template in post race at the track didn't pick it up?
Sorry, I am not buying that a hair high that is so small they cant find it at the track is going to give any team an advantage. I get the idea of no tolerance for infractions, but spare me any talk that this was a deliberate cheat. This was RCR building a car right up to the limit...and apparently misjudging it. It is obvious this isn't a blatant attempt to cheat.
I think NASCAR just gave the equivalent 12 years for a guy rumoured to have been jaywalking....
I come from the camp of there's been cheatin' in NASCAR since wheels've been round. If you look at the statement from the appeal, the frame is bent up, in the area where suspension is mounted, on the right side. This would definately help a team hook up better getting off the corners, especially crucial at a track like Loudon. I think they ran the car well enough at Richmond to make sure they were in the Chase, then kicked ass at NHMS. I break it down a bit more here:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa
http://www.fanviewpoint.com/2010/10/...-loses-in.html
NASCAR has suffered an image problem because they don't air grievances in the court of public opinion. Many times they are wrong (cautions for debris). I think this time, they were correct.
Ok, I will say two things to your points. One, if one is to suppose Richard Childress and company are stupid, why did they build sort of a cheater to get into the chase, and then ramp it up for NHIS KNOWING FULL WELL NASCAR WARNED THEM?? I don't think Richard and the boys are that dumb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
Second, if it is just bodywork, then it is a marginal advantage if at all when you consider they couldn't measure it at the track. However, if it is a pickup point for the suspension or something underneath, then ok, I completely buy your point that NASCAR had no choice.
The problem I still have is NASCAR never really is completely open with the process or really going into any great explaination of the cheat....it is left to the media to figure it all out and pass it on to us fans.
I just find it a little much they cannot find the car failing tech at the track and have to drag it to Charlotte's test lab where they eventually find the unfair advantage....
I am of the mind that on a lot of stuff, if it isn't apparent at the track with the inspection they give it there, they really are nit picking...
I agree NASCAR isn't open with the process, and THAT is really the issue. But if you go read the story on my link, you'll see what they are talking about the frame is too high, not sheet metal. They knew it was, warned RCR that if they didn't fix it, they (NASCAR inspectors) would crawl up in thier backsides and find it. Then he went out and won. So now NASCAR takes the car and goes over it with a fine tooth comb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa
NASCAR doesn't play the 'court of public opinion' game. Never has. If they said "look, the frame is too high, causing this car to have more wedge and therefore hook up better in the corner. We told them on more than one occasion that if we had an opportunity to REALLY inspect this car we were going to. RCR has been warned and didn't heed our warnings, now they get to suffer the consequences", they might have fans understand the why's and how's of how things work in the politics of NASCAR.
I don't think RCR is dumb. Far from it. I think they thought they could get away with it. A 1/16 of an inch is a ton at that particular place in the car. I think they thought they had found a place to craft an advantage not easily found by track inspectors. I think they thought they could explain it away with "racing incidents", or in this case, a convenient wrecker push.
Why would Denny Hamlin run his mouth @ Dover? Because they knew they got jobbed?? Why would Kevin Harvick go play tough guy? To send a message to keep it quiet, keep it in the garage? Maybe? THIS is what makes NASCAR racing interesting, IMO. The races themselves, on their own, are not nearly as intriguing until you add in this extra layer of 'off track' issues.
Are they (NASCAR) nit picking? Yeah, sure. But RCR was warned that it was coming.
True enough man...excellent post....Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa
Thanks Mark.