In September 2013, one of many biggest scandals in NASCAR historical past befell at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
The 2013 Federated Auto Components 400 was the ultimate race within the 2013 Cup Sequence common season. On the time, solely 12 drivers made the Chase for the Dash Cup.
After a chaotic night that noticed Carl Edwards snag the win, Michael Waltrip Racing was embroiled in an enormous race manipulation scandal that performed an enormous function within the workforce’s eventual downfall. Clint Bowyer deliberately spun within the closing laps in an effort to assist teammate Martin Truex Jr. make the chase, whereas Brian Vickers was instructed to come back down pit street for a similar purpose.
When it was all mentioned and achieved, Truex Jr. was booted from the Chase and ended up leaving the workforce at season’s finish, together with longtime sponsor Napa Auto Components. Bowyer was docked 50 factors and noticed his title hopes evaporate earlier than the postseason even started and common supervisor Ty Norris was indefinitely suspended.
Former crew chief and NASCAR Vice President of Competitors, Robin Pemberton, joined the “Dale Jr. Download” on Wednesday and defined NASCAR’s facet of the story from that notorious night almost 12 years in the past.
“About 10 o’clock within the morning (the day after the race) the cellphone rings,” Pemberton said. “It is (former NASCAR president) Mike Helton. He goes, ‘We obtained frickin’ hassle. We obtained to do an investigation.'”
