Stewart’s car barely passes post-race inspection
Quote selected text Published September 17th, 2007 in NASCAR News
For a few frightening minutes, all the smiles that came with a third-place finish at New Hampshire had disappeared off the faces of Tony Stewart’s No. 20 teammates.
After rolling the car into the postrace inspection bay in the New Hampshire International Speedway garage, the crew was suddenly faced with some sobering news: The left front fender was too low, and the evidence was right there for all to see.
Their faces turned to stone. But since NASCAR gives teams multiple attempts to get through inspection, the crew wheeled the car back around to the back of the garage.
NASCAR inspectors surrounded the car, and officials began to drift over. Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby was on the scene, then NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton walked over and was followed closely by NASCAR President Mike Helton.
The inspectors and Darby examined the car further with a fender template, then brought the car back into the inspection bay. A couple dozen people gathered around this time, and NASCAR allowed the car to pass inspection on the second try.
Though the car was indeed too low, NASCAR ruled that it was caused by race damage.
“We got hit in the right front fender [during the race],” crew chief Greg Zipadelli said. “And they put the fender template on there and put the gauge on there and everything was fine. Thank God it wasn’t worse than what it was.”
Bookmark to:
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I saw it.. it was halfway through the race..the camera caught Tony’s car wiggle a bit coming off turn 2 and then the reporters said something about the pit crew fixing the fender during the pit stop; and it took a bit longer for the stop..that’s why gordon made it out of the pits before Tony did.
even if stewart still had gotten out in front of jeff jeff would of passed him. no bashing intende
The coil springs settle a little bit after a race and would allow the car to lose a little height anyway.
anyother team would’ve been disqualified!
nobody orally or anally stimulates nascar officials as well as
Tony!!
seems as if he always has an easy out or a miracle!
…but naTURALLY IT WASN’T HIS FAULT
IS IT EVER?
What……you are suppose to race like crazy and still have a perfect car? The crew did what they had to do to get him back on the track !!!