NASCAR disallows Harvick's qualifying time

Fuel cell of No. 29 Chevrolet was not full for qualifying run

LAS VEGAS -- Kevin Harvick became the first driver penalized under a new rule that states that teams must qualify with a full tank of gas.

	Kevin Harvick will start 42nd -- not fourth -- thanks to the violation. Credit: Autostock
	UAW-DAIMLERCHRYSLER 400 •   Lineup •   Kahne looking to rebound Photo Gallery

The new rule prevents teams from employing the old practice of using just a few gallons to qualify. The rule was stamped on official race entry blanks for the 2005 season.

Harvick qualified fourth on Friday at Las Vegas, but his time was nullified after NASCAR officials found his car to hold just 18 gallons of gas -- short of the 22 required.

NASCAR checks the fuel cell both before and after qualifying.

"The vent line was blocked, and the fuel filler was blocked so fuel flowed into the vent line, making the fuel cell appear it was full," said Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby.

As a result, Harvick will have to start Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in 42nd spot, and Richard Childress Racing faces penalties for the infraction.

If Harvick's team hadn't been caught, it would have been his best starting spot in a season-and-a-half, dating back to Dover in 2003, when he qualified third.