NASCAR also noted that the race car spoilers will be removed at the track and checked this weekend at ISM Raceway
Scott Miller: “We believe this to be a separate manufactured part, by them. But, if they just modified a standard one, the penalty is the same.”
Kevin Harvick won stage one, stage two and the race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Following, the sweep of the race, it was ruled that the #4 car failed NASCAR inspection.
The win counts in the record books for Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing. But, that’s really about the only place it counts. The results of the penalty are fierce with the revoke of a championship spot, a fine of $75,000, a suspension of the car chief and the crew chief for the rest of the season.
Harvick was set to join Joey Logano as a locked in driver for the Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With the penalty, the win does not count toward championship advancement.
Now, Harvick will enter ISM Raceway 4th in playoff standings. Only four drivers will transfer to Homestead. He’s on the edge of the cut line.
Now, NASCAR is here to explain exactly what was wrong with the rear spoiler in question…
Kevin Harvick’s rear spoiler violation
NASCAR didn’t state an exact amount. However, they did say the spoiler was skewed between 200-300 thousandths of an inch (0.2-0.3″).
“The spoiler is a piece that is bought by the teams from a single part supplier. It has a part number from Richardson. It has a CAD file that calls out the profile of the spoiler, the overall shape and where all the mounting holes are in the spoiler,” NASCAR Senior VP of Competition, Scott Miller explained in a teleconference on Wednesday.
“This particular spoiler did not conform to the CAD file. When you’re talking about a spoiler, there’s two things that contribute to improved aerodynamic performance. That would be the height of the spoiler, which was correct on this one. And it would be the offset of the spoiler, in relation to the center line of the car.”
“This one was moved to the right. When the car goes into the corner and sees yaw, that puts more air on the spoiler. That’s definitely aerodynamic performance.”
“We found this back at the R&D Center when we matched up the spoiler to the CAD file. Which is basically a stock part that every team can buy. It didn’t match up.”
“Whether they made their own or they modified the stock piece is kind of irrelevant in this case. Because it didn’t match up. We believe this to be a separate manufactured part, by them. But, if they just modified a standard one, the penalty is the same.”
Why wasn’t the infraction caught in pre-race or post-race inspection at the track?
“It did get noticed at the track. But, since that car was coming back to the R&D Center. It didn’t get noticed in that we knew exactly what it was.”
“There was something that one of the inspectors saw that made them a little bit suspicious. That’s why we took it off when the car got back to the R&D Center.”
“We’re not talking about several inches. But, what everybody has to realize is subtle differences — A 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 of an inch — When it comes to aerodynamic performance in that area, it all means something.”
“It’s not something that by any means would stick out like a sore thumb.”
Will you be inspection spoiler differently this week at ISM Raceway?
“It’s a shame that we have to. But, yes. We plan on doing that.”
More
Texas Motor Speedway: Race Results (NASCAR Cup Series)
Crew chiefs comment on Kevin Harvick’s rear spoiler
NASCAR team owner Tony Stewart comments on the NASCAR inspection process
Spoiler tape results in L1 penalty for Chase Elliott – Video (September 2017)
Kevin Harvick talks the roof/rear window that brought an L1 penalty after Las Vegas (March 2018)
NASCAR industry reacts to Kevin Harvick’s rear window (March 2018)
#4 crew chief Rodney Childers discusses the rear window at LVMS (March 2018)
Kevin Harvick’s rear window at Las Vegas – Photos (March 2018)
Harvick comments on victory burnouts, pre-race tech and penalties
Links
Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Texas Motor Speedway | NASCAR
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