Track Smack: Daytona

With Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne's qualifying times disallowed, and with Michael Waltrip's car impounded because of suspicious fluid in his engine manifold, did these teams cheat to try to gain an advantage?

Ryan Smithson: Well, the 55 team has maintained that oil somehow leaked into the manifold. Obviously, we are not mechanics, but I've never seen a car fail inspection partly because of oil leaking into a manifold.

David Caraviello: It's Daytona. It's plate racing. Many of the car pieces are specialized, and because of that, the rules and the inspection process are tighter. So guys can't get away with what they might get away with at, say, Martinsville.

Joe Menzer: If NASCAR rules that these guys did indeed cheat, I have another question: To what extent should they be penalized? Some folks think they didn't do enough to Knaus.

David Caraviello: You set the bar last year the Knaus ejection and suspension. To do anything less would appear inconsistent. And NASCAR has never appeared inconsistent, has it? And tell Knaus that, as he sat at home and watched somebody else crew his car to Victory Lane in the Daytona 500.

Joe Menzer: Well, when you don't play by the rules and get caught, you've sort of made your own bed, as the saying goes.

Ryan Smithson: We all know that Knaus got sent home last year, but in the long run, his efforts paid off, don't you think? If you don't get caught once in awhile, are you not trying hard enough?

David Caraviello: Really, we see this stuff every Speedweeks. Waltrip's magic oil is a new one, but every year you've got guys busted left and right for trying to sneak something by. It's the Daytona 500.

Joe Menzer: Here's a radical idea: If they really want to put a stop to the cheating, send the entire team home for a race if they get caught. It won't ever happen, though.

Ryan Smithson: Let's say I am Robbie Reiser and my car isn't nearly as fast as it was last year. You know what? I'll do whatever it takes. NASCAR might keep me home four weeks. Big deal. I will go back to the shop and cut up cars. My sponsor will pay the fine. Wow, NASCAR, you really got me.

Joe Menzer: What they should strive for is doing everything it takes, but within the rules. Again, that's not likely to happen, either.

Ryan Smithson: Joe, NASCAR took away almost all their creative license.

Joe Menzer: Hey, man, they'll get to adjust that wing thing on the COT when it comes around! And don't forget those splitters in front that they will get to move a couple of inches this way or that. (Continued)