"Rogue" crewmen? NASCAR's appeals board doesn't buy that, and upholds major suspensions for tire tricks

 Crew chief Steven Lane. Out for 12 weeks. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
 

   By Mike Mulhern
   mikemulhern.net

   Remember those trick tire air-pressure bleeder devices NASCAR officials discovered on Travis Kvapil's car at Pocono a few weeks back – when, during a rain delay, three of his four tires strangely went flat?
   Well, team owner Bob Jenkins conceded those devices shouldn't have been on his car, but he appealed the severity of the penalties.
   A NASCAR appeals board -- Leo Mehl, the former Goodyear tire boss; Waddell Wilson, the legendary engine builder; and star promoter Humpy Wheeler; with NASCAR's George Silbermann as the non-voting administrator – heard that appeal Tuesday.
    And it didn't buy any of the excuses.
    The specific rules at issue: Any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR Rules, more specifically 'unapproved modification to valve stem hardware.'
   Five penalties were assessed: loss of 150 owner points, loss of 150 driver points, and a $100,000 fine, 12-race suspension and probation for crew chief Steven Lane, 12-race suspension for car chief Richard Bourgeois and probation, and 12-race suspension and probation for tire specialist Michael Harrold.
    The board said "the appellants and team representative argued that, unbeknownst to the team management or the appellants, valve stem caps designed to bleed air were developed by rogue elements of the team; that for some reason this hardware was mistakenly brought to the Pocono event on the team hauler; and that the caps were then accidently placed on the race car just prior to the start of the race."
    The caps each has a very small, almost imperceptible hole drilled in the top, to allow the tires to release excess air.
    The verdict: "The Panel did not find the appellants explanation to be plausible."
    The penalties were upheld.
    One final appeal is possible, to John Middlebrook, the former General Motors executive now serving as the final appeals judge for the sport.

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   Messing with tires is one of NASCAR's three 'deadly' sins (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)