Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Following qualifying for the Daytona 500, three drivers will be starting from the rear of the Can-Am Duels due to qualifying violations.
NASCAR announced that both Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers had their times disallowed due to the track-bar not being in compliance in post-technical inspection.
They also announced that Martin Truex Jr. was indeed not allowed to make a qualifying run as a result of concerns from officials surrounding the roof flaps on his racecar. NASCAR stated in the statement that Truex’s violation was spotted before he made his attempt, with the team being notified; the team was then unable to correct the issue in the allotted time given.
“They didn’t like it was slanted when it dropped down so I don’t know what the problem was,” Truex’s crew chief Cole Pearn told Fox Sports 1. Either way, they decided to put us on the five minute clock and then bring us back here. I don’t know why they brought us back here as there was no way that we could get back out there. I thought we had a good car for qualifying, but we’ll just roll on, see what they say and see what happens on Thursday.”
As a result, each of these drivers will start at the back of their respective Can-Am Duel, with NASCAR stating that further penalties were possible.
So no fines?! and still guaranteed a spot! some punishment! trying to cheat to win 500 huh! i would take points driver fine heavy and put on probation
Nothing else has been announced as of right now. NASCAR did add that “the issues with all three cars would be discussed further in Tuesday competition meetings” which could mean further penalties, like the types that you noted, possibly being instilled.
Why would they even bother entering the Can Am Duel?? The positions are locked in up front and the cars mentioned are guaranteed to be in the top 36 in a race where starting up front, or mid pack, gains you nothing but exposure to wrecks. Why not just park their cars and save a whole lot of money and potential damage
The sponsors probably wouldn’t be too pleased with seeing their car not out there so that’s probably does in the reason. Plus, in the spirit of competition, I don’t think a driver or team would be accepting of that. With that said, come late stages of the race, if you see people play it safe, you know why for the reasons that you stated.
Additionally, these teams use this opportunity to test for the 500. Provides the perfect opportunity to test under race conditions.