NASCAR team posts photo of illegal part after disqualification; Claims innocence

The team says the current throttle body is faulty, causing them to hang wide open; NASCAR plans to issue new throttle bodies this week

On Saturday, the NASCAR Truck Series took the green at Texas Motor Speedway. Ross Chastain made a rare appearance in the series with Niece Motorsports.

Chastain drove the No. 45 truck to a 3rd place finish. However, in post-race inspection, officials declared the car illegal.

On Sunday night, the team explained the disqualification. They explained that the throttle body style needs repairs. Upon repairs, a different screw style was used. The alternative screw is was caused the disqualification.

Chastain was regulated to last, 36th.

NASCAR Rule Book – Section 20.6.2.13.a: ““The throttle body must be used as supplied by the NT1 engine supplier without modification.”

The team has the option to appeal. However, it costs money to appeal a penalty.

Related: Ross Chastain disqualified after Texas Motor Speedway

Niece Motorsports comments

“Following Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway an issue with the throttle body of the No. 45 Chevrolet was discovered during post-race inspection.”

“Generally, throttle bodies are good for 1,500 miles. At that time, teams can either replace or repair the part. The throttle body used on the No. 45 Chevrolet was a throttle body that had been used previously.”

“There is an issue with the current style of throttle body that causes the throttle body shaft to bend, which in turn causes the throttle to get stuck or hang wide open.”

“As this poses an obvious safety issue, the throttle body in question was sent off for repairs.”

“The current throttle body comes from the supplier with Phillips-style bolts. The repairing party installed torx-style bolts during the repair process. These torx-style bolts are what caused the disqualification of the No. 45 Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway.”

“The throttle body itself and the performance of the part was not modified outside of NASCAR’s specifications in any way. The torx-style bolts created no performance advantage. The team feels confident that if the throttle body in question was tested, it would show no performance advantage.”

“While the team is confident in it’s innocence, it will not seek an appeal, based upon previous experience with the appeals system.”

The team added, “Due to the numerous issues with the current throttle body, NASCAR informed teams that they would implement a new one. The new throttle body is set to be implemented at the end of the week.”

Cody Efaw

Niece Motorsports GM Cody Efaw added, “The incident in our team and its ability to prepare first class race truck within the confines of NASCAR’s rules. We don’t have the funding or the wiggle room to carelessly cheat.”

“There was no malicious intent in using torx bolts int he repair of the throttle body. Anyone who is familiar with how these race trucks operate knows that it is not a performance advantage in any capacity.”

Niece Motorsports
NASCAR Throttle Body Bolts
Niece Motorsports - Throttle Body
Niece Motorsports – Throttle Body

Related: Ross Chastain’s NASCAR Cup team also failed inspection at Texas Motor Speedway for a part not meet the CAD file

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Ross Chastain | Niece Motorsports | Texas Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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