Friday, July 06, 2012

Dillon Stripped Of Daytona Nationwide Pole

It’s been a rough week for Austin Dillon.

Just days after losing both championship points and cash after the rear end of his winning Chevrolet was found to be too low at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon was stripped of the pole position for tonight’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.  

NASCAR officials said an illegal, open vent hose was found leading to the cockpit of Dillon’s car after qualifying. The hose raises safety concerns, due to its ability to conduct debris into the driver’s compartment, and did not provide any competitive advantage.

Dillon will forfeit the number-one starting spot in tonight’s race to fellow championship contender Ricky Stenhouse Jr.


  1. Anonymous6:16 PM

    Here is the rule 20-2.1-J that was violated: "Any device or ductwork that permits air to pass from one area of the interior of the car to another or to the outside of the car will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to the inside of the car to the trunk area, or the floors firewalls, crush panels and wheel wells passing air into or out of the car.

  2. Anonymous6:58 PM


    1. Anonymous11:36 AM

      And moved to the FRONT at the FINISH LINE....where it all counts!!!! GO SMOKE!!!!!!

  3. Anonymous7:09 PM

    This is not a good way to start such a promising career. His crew chief will not be remembeed for these infractions, but he will. Pop Pop has a lot of 'splaining to do to Bass Pro Shops tonight.

    Doug from NJ

  4. Additional cooling of the driver would make for a huge competitive advantage under race conditions. Qualifying, not so much. Those boys working the 3 better tighten it up.

    1. This was not done to cool the driver. I'm told it was done in an effort to purge air fro the underrside of the car, reducing lift and increasing downforce.

    2. If they want to cool the drivers, take out the right side window. I remember Mike Wallace calling for that in the mid-1990s; I'm not buying that the right side window makes much sense anymore.

  5. Here is the black helicopter... That Black #3 is getting mighty close to the cup series. Just to take the Ouija Board route with this for a second... Jr wrecked, and from what I recall, his trip to the outside wall looked eerily similar to his Dad's, on the "#3"rd lap of the very next race. Kevin Harvick won his first cup race on his"#3"rd start. These black #3 cars and trucks kinda making their own identity with the cowboy hats instead of Gargoyles... Someone is trying to say something to all who dare drive the black 3.


    Its a stretch of happenings that any championship team has to overcome. If it was easy to be a champ, nobody would watch, and everybody would do it. But guys! C'mon! Nut a bolt! Nut and bolt!

    The frequency of their issues troubles me. They have a championship team, driver, car, sponsor, and reputation. Each step up in series is more difficult. One mistake can be overcome. They can't win a title if they continue to make their own obstacles. The shoes to fill are big, and the spotlight will only get brighter.

  6. Anonymous9:41 PM

    Dillon looks like he could be legit in terms of talent, but I wonder if Pop Pop's Cup drivers are wondering why the Nationwide and Truck programs seem to be having more success than the Cup side (not trying to claim nepotism, that includes Sadler's two wins).

    As an aside, congrats to Kevin and DeLana Harvick on the birth of their son. I know they joked that they were going to name the kid Otis, but I'm wondering if, when he's the right age, he might be wishing they really named him that instead of the name they actually chose.