[KevlarDawg]

David Hyder, the crew chief for Michael Waltrip, has been suspended indefinitely for infractions discovered on the #55 Toyota during Sunday's post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. Further penalties against Waltrip's team will be announced at a press conference later on Wednesday. They are expected to be more severe than the two- and four-race suspensions of crew chiefs from four other teams that were announced on Tuesday. NASCAR chairman Brian France and president Mike Helton were among those that met with Waltrip and officials from Michael Waltrip Racing before Wednesday's first practice session. One official described the situation as "very serious." Lee White, the senior vice president for Toyota Racing Development that is making its Nextel Cup debut at Daytona, said he also planned to meet with Waltrip. "I wouldn't call it a setback, but it's disappointing for anyone that we partner with to have this happen in some form or fashion," he said. "We will talk with them to see where we need to go for the future." White said TRD has been working with NASCAR on the situation. "I can honestly tell you from an ethics standpoint and integrity, along with character and honesty, those things are paramount in our company," he said. "We hold ourselves to a high standard and we hold our teams to high standards. We hope we've picked the right ones."(ESPN.com)
ALSO: Bobby Kennedy, MWR's Director of Competition, was escorted out of the track at Daytona by NASCAR's Robin Pemberton.(2-14-2007)
UPDATE: SPEED is reporting an announcement is coming this afternoon, could be as soon as the last Cup practice of the day is run [around 3:00pm/et], hearing another report that the 'substance' could be jet fuel.(2-14-2007)

 

[Geebi]

I bet Toyota is not to happy. Not a good start for MWR.

 

[kwik]

looks bad for waltrip and toyota. should be interesting to follow the trail and see where it leads.

 

[NEW2]

hearing Kenedy may have had his Nascar hard card revoked? wow. This sounds bigger than jet fuel issues. NOT a good start, might have to wipe a tear. maybe not.

 

[Geebi]

Sounds like a really bad infraction. But who knows, we will see what happens, in the mean time...GO DJ!!!!!!!!

 

[JJ48Fan]

Anything involving the engine is usually a big infraction more so on a restrictor plate track where everyone is equally matched in horsepower. Mikey thought 2006 was bad just wait. I doubt he will ever make it into the top 35 in owner points.

 

[harley2001]

Mikey should have been docked 200 points & 200 owner points & made to sit out the great Dayton 500!
He will be labled as a cheater now! Same goes with the others!

 

[JJ48Fan]

I am seriously going to be turned off if any of these guys try appealing their penalties. Last year Hendrick and Knaus were man enough to admit that they f*cked up and they accepted the consequences. The types of infractions these guys got caught for are blatant attempts at cheating and I would hope the teams are smart enough to not try and appeal and just accept the penalties levied against them.

 

[melloyello20]

I am seriously going to be turned off if any of these guys try appealing their penalties. Last year Hendrick and Knaus were man enough to admit that they f*cked up and they accepted the consequences. The types of infractions these guys got caught for are blatant attempts at cheating and I would hope the teams are smart enough to not try and appeal and just accept the penalties levied against them.

they may not be smart enough. didn't they give micky a second chance to get the car back thru inspection and got caught for the same cheat?!!

 

[JJ48Fan]

I am seriously going to be turned off if any of these guys try appealing their penalties. Last year Hendrick and Knaus were man enough to admit that they f*cked up and they accepted the consequences. The types of infractions these guys got caught for are blatant attempts at cheating and I would hope the teams are smart enough to not try and appeal and just accept the penalties levied against them.

they may not be smart enough. didn't they give micky a second chance to get the car back thru inspection and got caught for the same cheat?!!

Yup NASCAR installed a brand new manifold themselves on the car and the mystery substance was still there. Of course NASCAR let Mikey qualify the car. Toyota has one hand in NASCARs back pocket so by now allowing him qualify is sending the wrong message to Toyota.

 

[KevlarDawg]

Yes they did let him qualify but they disallowed his time and he will start in the back of the pack tomorrow in the duals along with the rest of the teams that got caught. Nascar didn't make Jimmie Johnson set out of the race last year. If any of you Johnson fans would have heard the word send the whole team home you guys would have shit your pants. They all tried to pull something and they all got caught and got what Nascar thought was fair. For once Nascar was consistent on there penalties. They have treated everybody fairly and kept the same penalty as Knaus got last year.

 

[melloyello20]

yea, i don't think they should make him sit out. just take what you got coming and get on with racing.

 

[KevlarDawg]

# Michael Waltrip's Statement: Michael Waltrip's statement regarding the NASCAR penalties handed down this evening to the #55 Michael Waltrip Racing entry: "In the past 12 months, Michael Waltrip Racing has hired more than 150 people and we currently employ more than 200. Although we have grown at an accelerated pace, it has been our mission to hire people with high moral value and character to properly represent our sponsors and our ownership. During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules. This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor. This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team. As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees. Therefore, I accept the penalties issued tonight by NASCAR. I respect NASCAR's rules, its people and the sport's integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed. I am dedicated to get to the bottom of this because I will not let the independent act of an individual or individuals tarnish the incredible accomplishment my organization has made to be where we are today. I want to apologize to the other owners, who know how hard I've worked to get here in such a short period of time, NASCAR, Toyota, NAPA, all my sponsors, the drivers and especially the fans."(MWR PR)(2-14-2007)

 

[Geebi]

GO Mikey.

 

[KevlarDawg]

Toyota issues warning to teams: Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition, was emphatic this [the #55 infraction and penalty] was a team issue and not a Toyota issue. While embarrassed over the incident, Toyota officials insisted they would maintain a relationship with MWR. "This is not the way you want to enter NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series by any means," said Jim Aust, the president and CEO of Toyota Racing Development. "For this to happen to him is extremely disappointing and extremely disappointing to Toyota. ... He has certainly apologized to just about anybody that would be associated with his organization. He's beside himself with what's happened." Toyota isn't resting on an [Waltrip] apology. Company officials are expected to send a letter out to all Toyota teams next week stating Waltrip's organization has used two of the company's three strikes. The next team that crosses the line will face the loss of the manufacturer's support. Lee White, the senior vice president for TRD, said TRD worked with NASCAR throughout the process. "I can honestly tell you from an ethics standpoint and integrity, along with character and honesty, those things are paramount in our company," he said. "We hold ourselves to a high standard and we hold our teams to high standards. We hope we've picked the right ones."(ESPN.com)
AND: Jim Aust, vice president or Toyota Racing Development, was asked if this was his worst nightmare. "I would say that's pretty close to accurate," Aust said. "This is a week we had looked forward to for many years. To begin this way certainly takes some of the limelight and happiness out of it." It also doesn't help the Toyota guys win over some NASCAR followers who didn't want them here in the first place. That marketing campaign just got a lot tougher.(ESPN.com)(2-14-2007)

 

[Geebi]

It's all a conspiracy against Toyota. Jack Roush paid someone off, I know he don;t like Toyota at all.

 

[KevlarDawg]

Evernham is right up there with him geebi. They both stated there dislikes in Toyota coming into the sport. I honestly believe that Toyota will run just as good as Ford, Chevy, and Dodge.

 

[Geebi]

Evernham is right up there with him geebi. They both stated there dislikes in Toyota coming into the sport. I honestly believe that Toyota will run just as good as Ford, Chevy, and Dodge.

Oh they will, it's just a matter of time.

 

[Jessie]

they wont this year, as soon as Ganassi and Penske come over to Yota which will happen then they will

 

[Guest]

That sucks