Cheating NASCAR Crew Chief makes excuses

UPDATE Penalties were levied against Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his crew chief for illegal modifications made to the Car of Tomorrow. The appeal was scheduled to be heard Wednesday, but the team informed NASCAR on Tuesday it will not fight the penalties. While admitting the car was not in compliance, DEI planned to argue that the penalties were too severe. But NASCAR officials countered with a March 21 rule amendment that outlined the penalties that would be levied for infractions on the COT.

05/18/07 “All of us are going to get caught in awkward positions," said Tony Eury Jr., who will work Saturday night’s all-star event because the penalties have been appealed by DEI. “If you’re going to be that close to the edge and push the bubble all of the time, sooner or later you’re going to get into trouble.

"It’s not a deal where you’re trying to screw NASCAR every way you can. This was an honest mistake. I am not going to say that I haven’t pushed the envelope before. I have.

"Maybe I’ve gotten away with a couple of things and maybe I haven’t. You have to get a taste of it sooner or later. There’s nothing you can do, you just go on."

Earnhardt Jr. said he was surprised that Eury Jr. got a suspension. Car chief Tony Gibson will fill in for Eury once he starts the suspension.

“I support Tony Jr.," Earnhardt Jr. said. “I was really proud of him. I'm not proud of cheating, but I was proud of him trying to give me every advantage he could give me and that's what I want him always to do."

[Editor's Note: In other words Earnhardt Jr. always wants Eury Jr. to cheat to give him an advantage, just don't get caught doing it next time.]