Weekly NASCAR cheating report

The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel has upheld a $5,000 penalty assessed to Gary Showalter, crew chief of the Key Motorsports No. 40 Nationwide Series team with driver Mike Bliss.

Showalter was fined for an incorrect carburetor venturi (shaft) height. The infraction was discovered during opening-day inspection June 29 at Daytona International Speedway.

According to a release from the sanctioning body, “The Appellant argued that the carburetor in question had been inspected and raced in a number of NASCAR Nationwide Series races prior to failing inspection, and that the inspection gauges were not always reliable."

The carburetor in question was checked again during the hearing, and it failed while using gauges provided by NASCAR as well as the team’s carburetor builder.

The panel was unanimous in its decision. Key Motorsports may appeal the decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer. [Editor's Note: Recall our 2003 article on NASCAR's antiquated carburetors]