[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

RCR: Harvick, Burton did not manipulate rules
FOXSports.com
Posted: 35 minutes ago The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding allegations in the media after the Sept. 19 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway that two of RCR's teams had manipulated the rules:

"Reports in the media, specifically on SPEED TV, that one or more of our NEXTEL Cup Series teams was found by NASCAR to be manipulating the rules yesterday at New Hampshire International Speedway are false and misleading. Our cars passed post-race inspection and officials at NASCAR assured us last night and again today that no one from RCR was told at any time not to bring a part back to the race track. The reported events and conversations did not happen. Our focus remains on two of our teams competing for the championship and the other finishing as high in the points as possible."

As Alice said as she stepped through the looking glass, "Things just get curiouser and curiouser."

I wasn't there so I have to go on who and what I heard, but at 2000 cst last night, Bob Dilner reported to Speed Channel by phone from the track that #31 and #29 were found to have laser-cut slits in the rims (.0003 in width) that had much the same effect as an illegal bleeder valve. He stated that it was a "grey area," and NASCAR allowed the finish to stand, and no penalitieswould be acessed. However, they would look for such modifications in the future and any car so found would be turned away.

In looking at Richard's statement it is probably technically correct that all his cars passed inspection. I would imagine that RCR was not told in the exact words Richard quoted to not bring the parts back to the track.

It could well be a massive mistake, but I find it odd that Dilner would be so specific about the matter? Time will probably tell.

[Bob Tanner]

This matter really intrigues me. This is what has been reported so far:

Bob Dilner made the initial report and it was aired, via a live phone tap, with Dave Despain on Wind Tunnel Sunday evening.
Monday RCR released a personal denial and said none of the reported events ever happened
Tuesday Harvick reported he believes a rival team owner started the nasty rumor

Looks like, as Wille Shakespere would say, "Much ado about nothing." But...

What is missing from the sorid subject?

(a) NASCAR has made no statement, that I can find, one way or another, concerning the matter, and

(b) Speed Channel (A NA$CAR mouthpiece, basically) has made no apology for reporting the alledged infraction?

Possibly something will be said from Speed or NA$CAR by the time everyone reads this but as of now, I know of nothing. It seems as though one side has been very noisy about it and the other side very quiet. It's my personal experience that when someone is hiding saomething they are the most vocal in the denial?

I guess it's just one of those things that make me go, "Hmmm...???"

[carlab68]

For some reason I picture you with a pipe and a monocle.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by carlab68

For some reason I picture you with a pipe and a monocle.

And patches on the elbow's of his jacket. Professor Bob, yeah that would fit the picture.

[candlejack]

Hmmmm....a cut 3 ten-thousandths of an inch to let excess pressure escape, therefore having increased tire wear. Sounds intriguing. NA$CAR if definately going to have to inspect everything more closely. I do have a few questions; who inspects the tires and rims? Are they inspected before or after they get put together? Will NASCAR have to have a "monitor" when the tires do get put together? Will all the tires need to be put together at a central location? These are questions I would like answered, somehow, someway.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

/ Associated Press
Posted: 11 hours ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kevin Harvick is so hot right now that the competition clearly is concerned - so much so that Harvick believes a rival intentionally spread false allegations of cheating to rattle his team.
After Harvick's win last week in New Hampshire, a Speed TV report claimed that Harvick and teammate Jeff Burton were manipulating their wheels to gain a performance advantage. NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing strongly denied the accusation, but Speed TV stands by its report.

With no one sure what to believe - and the report has led many teams to believe Harvick indeed is cheating - the driver is pretty confident he knows what's going on.

"I absolutely think it was a plant from another team," Harvick told MRN Radio. "NASCAR didn't say anything, so it's pretty obvious to me where it came from. It's an attempt to try and distract us from what we're doing, but they're going to have to do a lot better than that."


Ahh, the games they play in NASCAR, where the competition is tighter than ever and everyone is wondering just what it is that Harvick and his RCR team have zeroed in on.

[Mike24]

If this is true or not true, NASCAR needs to make a rule on this. The competition for each driver should be equal. NASCAR needs to starting looking at these grey areas and fix them so the competition is equal.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Mike24

If this is true or not true, NASCAR needs to make a rule on this. The competition for each driver should be equal. NASCAR needs to starting looking at these grey areas and fix them so the competition is equal.

There in lies just another problem that NA$CAR has. What is the grey area ???? After the fix this loop hole some team will come up with another way to get an advantage that is in that infamous "Grey Area". As long as there is a will ..... there is a way !

[oncea3fan]

the gray area has been getting smaller ever year since the start, thats what makes nascar so great "he who builds the better mouse trap ...wins!"

as the gray area gets smaller, the closer we get to IROC cars. we really need the grey areas IMHO.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

the gray area has been getting smaller ever year since the start, thats what makes nascar so great "he who builds the better mouse trap ...wins!"

as the gray area gets smaller, the closer we get to IROC cars. we really need the grey areas IMHO.

Absolutely !!! When it becomes IROC, and it will, I'll officially be done with it. I'm confident at that point the France family will pick the winner before the race even happens.

[Mike24]

If France was picking a winner, the top drivers like Jr, Gordon, Stewart, etc would win every week. The grey areas definately need to be fixed, so the winners actually deserve the win rather than cheating to win. If NASCAR can fix all the grey holes, we will see better racing because there won't be anymore ways to cheat to make the car faster.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Mike24

If France was picking a winner, the top drivers like Jr, Gordon, Stewart, etc would win every week. The grey areas definately need to be fixed, so the winners actually deserve the win rather than cheating to win. If NASCAR can fix all the grey holes, we will see better racing because there won't be anymore ways to cheat to make the car faster.

Mike ... they have fixed it. It's called IROC and if that floats your boat then you're all set. When any governing body takes that much control there is not much in it for me. If they do eliminate all the grey areas then what will happen to all the NASCAR employees who watch for violations ?? Keep in mind that grey areas include pit road speed, bending out fenders to far, setting spoiler incorrectly (wait ... they've gotten rid of that problem), installing all the lug nuts etc.......

If you violate the rules, technically, there is points to be lost and fines to be paid ... for some teams.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Mike ... they have fixed it. It's called IROC and if that floats your boat then you're all set. When any governing body takes that much control there is not much in it for me. If they do eliminate all the grey areas then what will happen to all the NASCAR employees who watch for violations ?? Keep in mind that grey areas include pit road speed, bending out fenders to far, setting spoiler incorrectly (wait ... they've gotten rid of that problem), installing all the lug nuts etc.......

If you violate the rules, technically, there is points to be lost and fines to be paid ... for some teams.

Ok, so you are telling me that you will cheat to win instead of deserving it? Ok.

[Dupont4five]

no Happy Harvick

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Ok, so you are telling me that you will cheat to win instead of deserving it? Ok.

First off I'm not going to get into a contest with you or anyone about ethics. If there isn't a rule concerning something then, from my perspective, there can't be a clear cut violation. If there is a rule but there is still some "grey area" then I believe that any governing body will expect the players to "push the envelope". Is that cheating ?? In my perception it may not be fair but if there is no rule then the violation, at that moment, then there is no violation.

I again apologize if you feel I am trying to get your goat. I just think that we all at one time or another look for ways around the rules. I don't want to see a championship won from the "grey area" but how do you penalize for a non written (apparent) violation ??