For the first time since 1960, a NASCAR race win has been removed
On Sunday afternoon, the rain postponed truck race got underway. Iowa Speedway hosted the NGOTS in Newton, Iowa.
Ross Chastain led the final 144 laps of the NASCAR Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway. He was declared the winner of the triple truck challenge event.
“Obviously I was very disappointed,” said Moffitt, the defending series champ who grew up in nearby Grimes, Iowa.
“It’s a big change of emotions — and obviously this is not the way I want to win it. As a driver, I still know I got beat on the track, which is frustrating. But back in the beginning of the year when NASCAR implemented this new system, it was to clear up the Tuesday disqualifications and the encumbered wins and let the fans know and everybody else know who actually won the race. I’d still rather take the checkered and be the first one to it, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it.”
Post-race inspection told a slightly different story. The truck was declared too low.
Brett Moffitt declared winner at Iowa Speedway
At track inspections are new for the 2019 racing season. In years past, cars were taken back to the NASCAR R&D Center for detailed inspections. NASCAR is still doing that. But, they’re also inspecting cars and truck harder at the race track, before and after the event.
Brett Moffitt has been awarded the $50,000 bonus. In addition, he’s now locked himself into the playoff rounds of the post-regular season.
“I was halfway to the airport,” Moffitt said. “I was already changed in the motor home drinking some beers and headed to the airport and mad as hell. I didn’t know and then the team called me and said, ‘Head back this way.’ So obviously there was an issue, but I think for the integrity of the sport, it’s the right thing to do. Obviously I came out on the good end of it. Obviously if I were in Ross’s shoes, I probably wouldn’t be too thrilled about it, but it is what it is.”
“I went from drinking my sorrows away to being happy,” Moffitt quipped.
NASCAR comments on failed post-race inspection at Iowa Speedway
“Basically we have a procedure and rules in place, trucks are restricted on their ride heights, the front and the rear of the vehicles,” said NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Managing Director Brad Moran, who spoke to media to explain the decision.
“Unfortunately the 44 (truck) was low on the front — extremely low. We have a process of what happens at that point. They do get an opportunity to roll around. They put fuel in the vehicle. They put air the tires.”
Chastain’s car was checked twice in case of an error. The trucks are allowed to wait 15 minutes for a second attempt. The team went through both times and failed.
This overturning of a victory hasn’t been done in awhile. The last time a race win was overturned was in 1960.
The team has elected to appeal the infraction.
More
Iowa Truck Race Results: June 16, 2019
Johnny Sauter crashes Austin Hill under caution at Iowa Speedway
