THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310635
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
NASCAR officials slapped Ray Evernham, Jeff Gordon's crew chief, with a record $60,000 fine and put him on probation ``for using suspension parts that did not meet NASCAR specifications'' in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR's Kevin Triplett reported Tuesday.
But beyond that, the sanctioning body 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.
But he did confirm that NASCAR inspectors became suspicious and ordered the season's most successful car into post-race inspection after Gordon's 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.
There was no immediate explanation why a nonconforming suspension part would prompt a record fine.
One possible explanation for both an altered spindle and the reluctance of NASCAR to talk about what it has found is the sanctioning body may now have partial evidence of the often-rumored use of telemetry devices and electronic traction control.
Telemetry devices and traction control are banned by NASCAR, but because of 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 racetrack. 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.
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 re-entered the race, Evernham warned him to be careful because he had no front brakes.
Around lap 60, Gordon reported that his motor was running smoothly but that 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.
``We accept the fine,'' said Dan Lohwasser, a spokesman for Hendrick Motorsports, which owns the car. ``There will be no appeal.''
In other news, Triplett reported that NASCAR has decided to try to help the Ford Thunderbird teams further by adding another quarter-inch to their rear spoilers.
That brings the height of the Ford spoiler up to 6.25 inches, matching the Pontiac Grand Prix. The Chevrolet Monte Carlos still have spoilers 5.75 inches high. The rules for front air dams remain the same. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jeff Gordon
by CNB