Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310100
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Beyond that, NASCAR wasn't saying much.
``This is a situation where we've revealed the area, but as to what was done, we're not ready to discuss the specifics right now,'' Triplett said.
He did confirm that NASCAR inspectors became suspicious, and ordered the season's most successful car into post-race inspection (even though Gordon finished 33rd) after his right front wheel malfunctioned early in the race. Gordon's right-front tire came off, and team members reported at the time that the hub was broken.
``What we saw happen made us wonder, like virtually everyone else, why it happened,'' Triplett said. ``We didn't like what we found.''
What NASCAR found, according to Allan Bestwick, an announcer with Motor Racing Network, was that the team had altered the spindle on the right-front wheel by drilling it. Bestwick reported this fact on his `NASCAR Today'' radio program Tuesday, but Triplett said he couldn't confirm it.
There was no immediate explanation why an nonconforming suspension part would prompt a record fine. But Winston Cup director Gary Nelson decided that the infraction was serious enough to fall under his policy of levying ever-higher fines for cheating.
One possible explanation, however, for both an altered spindle and the reluctance of NASCAR to talk about what they've found is that they may now have partial evidence, but no smoking gun, of the often-rumored use of telemetry devices and electronic traction control.
Telemetry devices and traction control are banned by NASCAR, but because of the rampant rumors of their use, NASCAR inspectors have been searching hard for evidence of them. A traction control system controls the rpms of the rear wheels to keep the power of the engine from overspinning them on the race track. But the system usually is connected to the front wheels as well because the device determines the proper traction for the rear wheels by measuring the speed of the front wheels.
The fine was not confirmed until late Tuesday, and Evernham could not be reached for comment.
But in the 600, Gordon led laps eight through 44 before he started falling back. After a few more laps, he made an unscheduled pit stop, and his team went under the hood of his car. As Gordon reentered the race, Evernham warned him to be careful because he had no front brakes.
Around lap 60, Gordon reported that his motor was running smooth, but he had no horsepower. On lap 79, his right-front tire and wheel came off, and Gordon took his car behind the wall for more extensive repairs.
In other news, Triplett reported that NASCAR has decided to try to further help the Ford Thunderbird teams by adding another quarter inch to the rear spoiler, effective immediately. That brings the height of the Ford spoiler up to 6.25 inches, which is the same as the Pontiacs. The Chevys still have spoilers that are 5.75 inches high.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB