that one hurt.

on the eve of the gatorade duels at daytona, michael waltrip learned of the repercussions his team will face after failing inspection before qualifying last sunday. waltrip will docked 100 driver points, his crew chief suspended indefinitely, his team manager ejected from the grounds of daytona, his primary car impounded by nascar, and a loss of 50 owner points before attempting to qualify for nascar's biggest race of the year. the penalty? probably the largest nascar has ever given out. but it came at a time when nascar is trying to build its integrity, so the ramifactions were that much more drastic. i have a feeling waltrip won't ever get caught with "jet fuel" or some other substance in his engine for a little performance again.

said waltrip later, "This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team. As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees. Therefore, I accept the penalties issued tonight by NASCAR. I respect NASCAR’s rules, its people and the sport’s integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed."

waltrip will need to move swiftly and with an iron fist in finding who did this in his organization, or his credbility as a driver and owner will be long gone.

tomorrow, we race.

9:40pm UPDATE: according to espn's david newton, michael waltrip racing has fired michael waltrip's crew chief david hyder for the rules infractions at daytona.


visual: michael waltrip at the brickyard 400 during qualifying for the 2006 edition. credit: gm.