Parts Confiscated

[BobbyFord]

•NASCAR confiscates parts from #46 team: Talladega Superspeedway has always been a place where teams have tried to push the rules to the limits, as teams go in search of speed. Friday at Talladega, inspectors uncovered a new variation of an old trick, seizing a pair of unapproved lower a-arms off the #46 Whitney Collision Centers Chevy driven by Michael McDowell. The a-arms appeared to have been hollowed out and filled with tiny ball bearings, making them far heavier than normal. NASCAR apparently found out about it when some of the ball bearings fell out of one of the a-arms. The lower a-arms are located at one of the lowest points on the car. Adding weight there improves handling by lowering the car's center of gravity. It also allows the team to remove weight somewhere else higher up on the car. If NASCAR penalizes the team - and it likely will - expect the penalty to be handed out Tuesday.(SPEED)(10-29-2010)

We'll see if the 46 gets penalized.

 

[JustMe]

We'll see if the 46 gets penalized.

You know they will. Rick doesn't own them, Jimmie doesn't drive the car and Chad isn't the crew chief, of course they'll be penalized.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

I'm not a Jimmie Johnson fan by any means but how does this possibly relate to him? Are you trying to relate an illegal part on the #46 to a failed/cracked part that was removed from Johnson's car last week? Kind of a big stretch IMO. I would expect that the #46 team is and should be penalized. They broke the rules.

 

[MRM]

Agreed. This is a blatant attempt to break the rules.

 

[SST55]

Are you trying to relate an illegal part on the #46 to a failed/cracked part that was removed from Johnson's car last weekind

Has Na$car come forward and stated the reason for the parts removal and why no penalty last week on the 48?

What crewman is going to install a cracked part? I mean really. There's also the story that the part was too thick and too heavy. While Na$car has a minimum thickness but they don't state a maximum.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

Inspectors discovered stress cracks in the cover and simply asked the team to replace it. This was reported by several news outlets the same day that the part was discovered. It wasn't a penalty because it wasn't an illegal part. It was taken back to R&D to discover the reason for failure as it could have been a safety issue. As far as installing a broken part. It more than likely wasn't broken at the time that it was installed. Things break and it could have gone unnoticed by the team. You'll have that from time to time even in big time auto racing.

I still have to ask the question because nobody has been able to answer it. What reason could NASCAR possibly have to have let Johnson's team get away with a rules infraction? In the past Johnson's team has been penalized. The fifth highest penalty in NASCAR was levied to Johnson and Chad Knaus. Three of the top eight penalties in NASCAR were issued to Hendrick teams.

 

[ted@economy]

You know they will. Rick doesn't own them, Jimmie doesn't drive the car and Chad isn't the crew chief, of course they'll be penalized.

It's so much more fun to assume the sanctioning body is cheating especially in the face of a mountain of evidence that they are not. Being able to state it as a fact ..is what makes America great. No use anyone trying to prove a negative.

 

[BobbyFord]

Inspectors discovered stress cracks in the cover and simply asked the team to replace it. This was reported by several news outlets the same day that the part was discovered. It wasn't a penalty because it wasn't an illegal part. It was taken back to R&D to discover the reason for failure as it could have been a safety issue. As far as installing a broken part. It more than likely wasn't broken at the time that it was installed. Things break and it could have gone unnoticed by the team. You'll have that from time to time even in big time auto racing.

I still have to ask the question because nobody has been able to answer it. What reason could NASCAR possibly have to have let Johnson's team get away with a rules infraction? In the past Johnson's team has been penalized. The fifth highest penalty in NASCAR was levied to Johnson and Chad Knaus. Three of the top eight penalties in NASCAR were issued to Hendrick teams.

Like SST said, the part was also reported to be too heavy. No crew member is going to crack a part installing it and let it go and NASCAR is not simply going to confiscate a part and send it to the R&D dept. because it got cracked during installation. I am an ASE certified tech and I know what a driveshaft cover is and I don't believe there is any way to crack one during installation and/or not know it was cracked (for whatever reason.) The point I'm making is that NASCAR is trying to make people believe a BS story about a cracked driveshaft cover so as not to draw attention to the fact that the 48 team was not penalized for an illegal part that was confiscated and sent to R&D.

 

[JustMe]

It's so much more fun to assume the sanctioning body is cheating especially in the face of a mountain of evidence that they are not. Being able to state it as a fact ..is what makes America great. No use anyone trying to prove a negative.

What part of what I said isn't fact? Rick doesn't own the team, Jimmie doesn't drive the car and Chad isn't the crew chief. All that is a fact. Oh, I got it, they haven't been penalized yet, so that might not be a fact. Sorry.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

Like SST said, the part was also reported to be too heavy. No crew member is going to crack a part installing it and let it go and NASCAR is not simply going to confiscate a part and send it to the R&D dept. because it got cracked during installation. I am an ASE certified tech and I know what a driveshaft cover is and I don't believe there is any way to crack one during installation and/or not know it was cracked (for whatever reason.) The point I'm making is that NASCAR is trying to make people believe a BS story about a cracked driveshaft cover so as not to draw attention to the fact that the 48 team was not penalized for an illegal part that was confiscated and sent to R&D.

Again,I have to ask, what reason would NASCAR have to keep this quiet and not penalize the #48 team? If what you're saying is true then there is some kind of conspiracy going on here. What could NASCAR possibly have to gain?

 

[BobbyFord]

Again,I have to ask, what reason would NASCAR have to keep this quiet and not penalize the #48 team? If what you're saying is true then there is some kind of conspiracy going on here. What could NASCAR possibly have to gain?

I'm saying I believe there is favoritism toward the 48.

 

[Mopardh9]

I'm saying I believe there is favoritism toward the 48.

I agree

 

[Bucky Badger]

Originally Posted by dpkimmel2001
Again,I have to ask, what reason would NASCAR have to keep this quiet and not penalize the #48 team? If what you're saying is true then there is some kind of conspiracy going on here. What could NASCAR possibly have to gain?

I'm saying I believe there is favoritism toward the 48.

Agreed

 

[SpeedPagan]

I'm saying I believe there is favoritism toward the 48.

Any actual proof of this, or is this more "RAH RAH, ME HATE 48" drivel that's going on?

 

[SST55]

Any actual proof of this,,,,,,

No proof but find it very strange that Na$car confiscates a part in pre race and no penalty. If anyone can remember them doing this before please post as I can't.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

So once again, no real answer.

I can help though. For NASCAR there's absolutely nothing to gain by looking the other way when the #48 runs through tech. In fact it would probably benefit NASCAR quite well had the #48 been caught cheating in some way. I'd venture a guess that a very small contingent of NASCAR fans are looking forward to yet another #48 cap of the season. A #48 150 point fine would suit NASCAR just fine. I think it's a non story and has been from the beginning. There would be plenty of media types all over this if there were anything to it.

If you guys/gals truly think that NASCAR looked the other way on this issue then what's the reason?

 

[ted@economy]

Any actual proof of this, or is this more "RAH RAH, ME HATE 48" drivel that's going on?[/QUOTE



That is what's so great about this stuff. Noone can prove that Nascar is NOT doing something. Just like they are NOT really aliens.

 

[BobbyFord]

...If you guys/gals truly think that NASCAR looked the other way on this issue then what's the reason?

For years NASCAR has been trying to take the "redneck" out of the sport. NASCAR has been trying to improve it's image and be politically correct. Do you think Brad Daugherty is in the booth is because he's an authority on the sport?? He a part owner of small-time team. He's also an authority on basketball not NASCAR. But he is black and he speaks well.
Several years ago they apparently must have said something to the drivers. I once saw a post-crash interview with Michael Waltrip where Michael looked at the camera and said "All y'all back home, I'm o.k." He then rolled his eyes (as if, oops I forgot) and looked at the camera again and said "I mean everybody back at home, I'm o.k."
Jimmie is the perfect, bland, vanilla all-American boy and NASCAR realizes it. Is it also a coincidence that JJ drives for the richest car owner in the sport?
What better way for NASCAR to improve it's image while keeping their favorite fat cat happy?

 

[dpkimmel2001]

For years NASCAR has been trying to take the "redneck" out of the sport. NASCAR has been trying to improve it's image and be politically correct. Do you think Brad Daugherty is in the booth is because he's an authority on the sport?? He a part owner of small-time team. He's also an authority on basketball not NASCAR. But he is black and he speaks well.
Several years ago they apparently must have said something to the drivers. I once saw a post-crash interview with Michael Waltrip where Michael looked at the camera and said "All y'all back home, I'm o.k." He then rolled his eyes (as if, oops I forgot) and looked at the camera again and said "I mean everybody back at home, I'm o.k."
Jimmie is the perfect, bland, vanilla all-American boy and NASCAR realizes it. Is it also a coincidence that JJ drives for the richest car owner in the sport?
What better way for NASCAR to improve it's image while keeping their favorite fat cat happy?

I can't buy into what your saying here. What makes now different than the other times that the #48 team and/or Hendrick have been penalized? NASCAR already knows that the majority of the fans are tired of seeing Jimmie Johnson win the Championship. What more of an opportunity did they need to prevent that from happening than to have caught them with something illegal on their car? I think I'll simply agree to disagree.

 

[chromehorn]

Any actual proof of this, or is this more "RAH RAH, ME HATE 48" drivel that's going on?

I'll admit it. It's more of the "RAH RAH, ME HATE 48" drivel coming from me.

 

[Joniki]

I really can't buy into this NASCAR is rolling out the red carpet for JJ. I am not a JJ fan but I truly appreciate what Chad, Rick and Jimmie have done over the last five years.

I am a racing fan and not so much of a driver fan.

If NASCAR was going to pave the way for any single driver to win a championship it would be JR. No chit...

 

[BobbyFord]

I really can't buy into this NASCAR is rolling out the red carpet for JJ. I am not a JJ fan but I truly appreciate what Chad, Rick and Jimmie have done over the last five years.

I am a racing fan and not so much of a driver fan.

If NASCAR was going to pave the way for any single driver to win a championship it would be JR. No chit...

Jr. can't drive, Jimmie can.
It's simple marketing.

 

[HoneyBadger]

The thing that got me was NASCAR trying to keep Hamlin from getting his lap back because he might've gotten hit from behind in the chain reaction thus would've been "involed in the accident". If it wasn't for ESPN calling them out on that, Hamlin would've been held a lap down and this Championship Chase would be in the bag right now.

 

[Joniki]

The thing that got me was NASCAR trying to keep Hamlin from getting his lap back because he might've gotten hit from behind in the chain reaction thus would've been "involed in the accident". If it wasn't for ESPN calling them out on that, Hamlin would've been held a lap down and this Championship Chase would be in the bag right now.

What?

 

[HoneyBadger]

What?

Watch the race. Hamlin was the Lucky Dog but NASCAR said he was "involved in the crash" and therefore would not get his lap back. ESPN showed the replay and he wasn't anywhere near the crash. After the replay was shown 2-3 times, NASCAR finally gave Hamlin his lap back.

 

[Joniki]

Watch the race. Hamlin was the Lucky Dog but NASCAR said he was "involved in the crash" and therefore would not get his lap back. ESPN showed the replay and he wasn't anywhere near the crash. After the replay was shown 2-3 times, NASCAR finally gave Hamlin his lap back.

I did watch the race.

So, the instant replay made it right. GEEZ Andy, if I hated everything NASCAR did as much as you I would certainly stop watching racing.

 

[ted@economy]

Watch the race. Hamlin was the Lucky Dog but NASCAR said he was "involved in the crash" and therefore would not get his lap back. ESPN showed the replay and he wasn't anywhere near the crash. After the replay was shown 2-3 times, NASCAR finally gave Hamlin his lap back.

Sooo ....Wait... ESPN is trying to get Hamlin the Championship?

 

[HoneyBadger]

I did watch the race.

So, the instant replay made it right. GEEZ Andy, if I hated everything NASCAR did as much as you I would certainly stop watching racing.

The problem with is that it's not the rule. The rule is, if you are THE CAUSE of the caution, you do not get your lap back.

Hamlin's car did not spin, he was not THE CAUSE of the caution and he maintained pace speed, therefore he gets his lap back. POSSIBLY getting run-in from behind as the caution comes out does not constitute being held a lap.

The fact that there was any discussion about it whatsoever is fishy. NASCAR didn't want Hamlin to have that lap back, end of story.

 

[Joniki]

Sooo ....Wait... ESPN is trying to get Hamlin the Championship?

Where have you been Ted? Brian France et al is on Hendrick's payroll and pulling for JJ and ESPN is the anti christ pulling for Hamlin.

 

[ted@economy]

Isn't it more likely that Nascar did not want to make an incorrect call ? So they looked at it and did NOT make an incorrect call.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Isn't it more likely that Nascar did not want to make an incorrect call ? So they looked at it and did NOT make an incorrect call.

Again, there was no need for discussion. He was not spinning or stopped on the racetrack. Therefore he is the Lucky Dog, end of story.

 

[Joniki]

Isn't it more likely that Nascar did not want to make an incorrect call ? So they looked at it and did NOT make an incorrect call.

You might just be on to something here. Racing is nothing like the stick and ball sports where there is idle time quite frequently and the officials have TIME to look at video.

Good Lord please take me back to the simpler times when racing was all about cheating and there was no video.

 

[chromehorn]

Watch the race. Hamlin was the Lucky Dog but NASCAR said he was "involved in the crash" and therefore would not get his lap back. ESPN showed the replay and he wasn't anywhere near the crash. After the replay was shown 2-3 times, NASCAR finally gave Hamlin his lap back.

I saw that and thought it was a little messed up myself. Regardless, I thought it was only if he was directly involved in the crash not if he got tied up in it. I didn't quite get where they were going with that.

 

[VaDirt]

Andy, the CIA called, and they want their black helicopters back

 

[HoneyBadger]

I saw that and thought it was a little messed up myself. Regardless, I thought it was only if he was directly involved in the crash not if he got tied up in it. I didn't quite get where they were going with that.

It is if you are the cause of the caution. Hamlin was not the cause of the caution. So all this talk about "involved in the crash" is bs.

Either NASCAR invented a new rule on the fly (like they've never done that before) or they were trying to keep Hamlin a lap down.

Either way, that whole situation smelled.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Andy, the CIA called, and they want their black helicopters back

Hush it. I may be wrong about the Kyle Busch thing (video's too inconclusive to tell) -- but you explain to me why NASCAR had reason to believe Denny Hamlin was the cause of the caution and, therefore, should not get his lap back?

 

[kkfan91]

Did NASCAR ever even say it or the guys in the booth say it when they said Denny Hamlin is the free pass unless he is in the wreck. Then they checked their reply and he wasn't?

 

[HoneyBadger]

Did NASCAR ever even say it or the guys in the booth say it when they said Denny Hamlin is the free pass unless he is in the wreck. Then they checked their reply and he wasn't?

ESPN had stated he wasn't getting the free pass because NASCAR said he was involved in the wreck. The ESPN guys were rather confused.

 

[ted@economy]

ESPN had stated he wasn't getting the free pass because NASCAR said he was involved in the wreck. The ESPN guys were rather confused.

So again...it seems to be ESPN thats apissin you off. Cause Nascar did give him the Lucky Dog and there WAS cheering from the Nascar booth. At least I heard there was.

 

[chromehorn]

I believe it was the guys in the booth that saw, using Hamlins in car camera, that he didn't hit anything before NASCAR said a word about it being the other way. It was kind of odd there for a minute, NASCAR almost immediately said "Nope, Hamlin was involved and didn't get the Lucky Dog" and the guys in the booth busted them on it. That's the way I saw it anyway, I'm going to have to rewatch that part when I get a chance, it was almost that retarded.