Waltrip fires crew chief

Michael Waltrip Racing severed ties with David Hyder, the crew chief for Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota who never worked a race this season after being suspended indefinitely prior to the Daytona 500. "As of this morning, Michael Waltrip Racing and David Hyder have ended their employment relationship," Waltrip said after Nextel Cup Series practice Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.

Hyder, who also was fined $100,000, and team director Bobby Kennedy both were kicked out of the garage by NASCAR after inspectors found an illegal substance in the intake manifold of Waltrip's Camry prior to qualifying.