The Return of "As The Engine Revs" - Episode 57: All Junior, All The Time

When last we left the scandalous world of NASCAR, owners were being penalized and crew chiefs were being suspended for various infractions involving modified parts, tampered engines and illegal substances. 

Fast forward to Tuesday.  Dun dun dunnnnnnn (ominous music is so hard to translate into type!)

It was found that outdated brackets were (supposedly) accidentally used on the rear wing of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s COT. The result?  Junior was docked 100 points, and crew chief Tony Eury Jr., who also happens to be Jr.'s cousin,  was fined $100,000 and suspended six races for an illegal modification to the Car of Tomorrow at Darlington Raceway.  Yes, of course they are appealing. 

Eury claims it was just an oversight.  ``It was kind of just a bad deal, a part that got on there that shouldn't have,'' he said. ``There was a lot of offseason testing for NASCAR. There's been like three different kinds of brackets on there and it just happened to be one of the old-style brackets.''   Then he added ``It really wasn't that big of a deal."

Yeah, Tony, it kind of was.  Especially this year.  According to NASCAR competition director Robin Pemberton, it was deliberate.  ``There is no doubt whatsoever,'' it was intentional, Pemberton said. ``We are very surprised and disappointed in Tony.''  

So, now Jr.'s been fined, he drops down to 14th in the points standings and once the appeal is done, he's going to lose his crew chief for awhile.  Hey, guys, the way things have been going this year, did you really think it wouldn't be found?