Joe Gibbs Racing

August 18th, 2008 filed in Auto Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing Cheating?

On August 17, 2008 both Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide cars (18,20) were found to have illegal magnets attached to the pedals. The magnets were used so that the pedal couldn’t be pushed all the way down, so the car would give a false horsepower reading when attached to a dyno machine. Three weeks earlier, all Toyota Camrys in the Nationwide Series, were ordered by NASCAR to reduce Horsepower by 15 hp to make the Camrys more equal in horsepower to the Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge race cars. It is alleged that JGR members attached the magnets to the pedals to give the dyno (horsepower tester) a false reading. Joe Gibbs and son, J.D Gibbs, were outraged about the incident, citing that an internal investigation within JGR will take place to find out who was involved and said that punishment will be handed out to anyone involved. On August 20th, NASCAR handed down punishments which included suspensions, fines, and reduction in driver and owner points. - Wikipedia

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1
Rick Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I didn’t understand how magnets would lower dyno numbers but then realized the point of the article. Magnets placed under the gas pedal prevented the pedal from being depressed fully. This prevents the motor from hitting full throttle immediately while dyno numbers are taken.

Definitely a underhanded move, but by no means cheating. Why doesn’t Chevy or Ford step up and produce better engines.

If NASCAR wants all the cars to be the same so victories are determined by the driver’s skill, chassis adjustments, and strategy, why don’t they mandate the use of one engine and chassis design?
2
Phil Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
No penalty yet, I guess we find out on Wednesday what the punishment will be.
3
Phil Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Penalties handed down by NASCAR to Joe Gibbs Racing on Wednesday August 20th:

- Suspended Jason Ratcliff, crew chief of the No. 18 car, and Dave Rogers, crew chief of the No. 20, indefinitely and fined them $50,000 each.

- Suspended No. 18 car chief Dorian Thorsen, engine tuner Michael Johnson and crew member Toby Bigelow and No. 20 car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek indefinitely.

- Docked 150 Nationwide driver points from Tony Stewart and Joey Logano.

- Docked 150 Nationwide owner points from Joe Gibbs for both cars.

- Placed the entire teams, including both drivers, on probation through Dec. 31.
4
jerryb Says:
August 21st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
obviously they cheated, since they were caught and punished. Some of the rules in NASCAR seem so whacky. Gotta be a gearhead or a redneck to understand this stupid sport.