Earnhardt Jr. Could Face Penalty
Illegal Parts Found During Pre-Race Inspection
On the heels of making a major announcement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. could be faced with more media attention than he bargained for.
The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series headed to Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Dodge Avenger 500. Entering into the race weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was overwhelmed with media attention after he announced last Thursday that he will be leaving Dale Earnhardt Incorporated at the end of this season. Dale Earnhardt Incorportated is the team Junior currently drivers for, and has driven for all of his Nextel Cup Series career.
But after the race weekend is over, Dale Earnhardt Jr. may be getting more media attention this week than he bargained for. An infraction was discovered on the #8 Budweiser Chevy prior to the running of the Dodge Avenger 500. During pre-race inspection, NASCAR officials discovered illegal wing brackets on the car. The wing brackets attach the wing, that comes with the new “Car Of Tomorrow” that is run in the Nextel Cup Series, to the rear of the car. NASCAR officials told the #8 team to remove the brackets immediately. The illegal brackets that were on the car could have given the #8 car an aerodynamic advantage, said NASCAR officials.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was still honored with his 21st starting position for Saturdays running of the Dodge Avenger 500 (Was moved from Saturday to Sunday due to rain). But it is expected that stiff penalties will be handed out to the #8 Budweiser team on Tuesday.
Nextel Cup Series director John Darby is expected to talk to Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., this week about the infraction that occurred at Darlington. Some possible penalties that could be handed out by NASCAR on Tuesday are a fine, docking of points, and perhaps a suspension of crew chief Tony Eury Jr. NASCAR handed out similar penalties back at Daytona International Speedway where Michael Waltrip's crew chief was suspended indefenitly after an illegal substance was found in the engine.
If penalties are handed out to the #8 team, they would be the first under the "Car Of Tomorrow" rules. NASCAR has warned teams over the past couple of weeks that they will not under any circumstances deal with teams trying to get an unfair advantage.
Jeff Gordon took the win in Sundays running of the Dodge Avenger 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. managed to finish in the 8th position. This was with legal wing brackets on the car. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. climbed from his car after the race, he did not metion the infraction discovered during pre-race inspection.
