Take a look at the photo as the team filled the driver hydration system with lead weight
Teams have been known to get creative. But, this is one of the wilder ones I’ve ever seen.
At Daytona International Speedway, the No. 34 and 51 teams were caught with illegal hydration systems. This was discovered during inspection during the week of the Daytona 500.
View a photo of the illegal NASCAR parts below.
The No. 34 is fielded by Front Row Motorsports and driven by Todd Gilliland. The No. 51 is driven by Cody Ware for Rick Ware Racing.
Instead of water, the hydration system was filled with ballast. Additionally, there was more parts of the driver cooling system including a power cord with lead weight. Those parts were not hooked up but they were sitting on the driver’s side of the car during inspection.
Both teams had their crew chiefs ejected. Each team was also docked 10 driver and owner points.
Section 14.11.2.1, A: “any and all ballast added to the vehicle must be secured in a ballast container(s).”
In recent years, NASCAR has displayed illegal parts at the hauler in the races that follow. This allows all teams to come have a look.
NASCAR details wild cheating at Daytona; More penalties pending
NASCAR comments
This weekend at COTA, NASCAR presented the parts and gave a detailed explanation:
“They probably weren’t planning on racing with this, but what they were doing is having this on for right side weight in the inspection,” NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said on Friday.
“The ballast was to the right side where the driver hydration is, which we take seriously. Our drivers, we want to make sure they get proper hydration.”
“So this was on the right side of the car. That (part) would have been exchanged during the approved adjustments prior to racing.”
“You add that up and we could be anywhere from 10 to 14 pounds [heavier] … we don’t need to get that technical, but we know a power cord doesn’t weigh what this weighs,” Moran said.
“Most teams don’t go in this direction because the price is too big – again, 10 points doesn’t sound like much, but it is if you’re trying to win a championship.”
Daytona 500 Results: February 16, 2025 (NASCAR)
NASCAR hydration system Cheating photo
Links
Front Row Motorsports | Rick Ware Racing | Daytona International Speedway | NASCAR
