TRD's White: We had nothing to do with missing Roush Fenway part

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Saturday, March 29, 2008
$util.encode.html($content.photo.alt)

David Griffin/
NASCAR Scene

Waltrip: Our team took Roush Fenway part by 'mistake'

Roush claims sway bar stolen by a Toyota team last year

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Lee White, the senior vice president and general manager for Toyota Racing Development, rebutted car owner Jack Roush’s claim Friday that Toyota may have had a hand in stealing a front sway bar from the Roush Fenway Racing organization last fall at Dover.

“From our perspective this is an issue that appears to be between two race teams and does not involve a manufacturer,” White said in a statement. “As always our focus continues to be on enhancing our hardware, improving our performance and winning races. This year, we have eight cars in the top-35 in owner points – and at this time a year ago we did not have any. We know we’re headed in the right direction and will continue to focus our efforts on the race track rather than away from the track.”

Roush raised a stir at Martinsville Speedway on Friday when he said that a “nondescript Toyota team went behind my toolbox and took my bar out of my inventory and put it in their inventory and took it home with them.”

Michael Waltrip confirmed Friday that the team Roush was referring to was his Michael Waltrip Racing group.

White said he became aware of Roush’s claims through an ESPN The Magazine article earlier this week and thereafter took immediate steps to conduct a “comprehensive investigation of our Toyota Racing Development facilities in both California and North Carolina over the past several days.”

“The only thing we learned was of one small incident after the recent rain-delayed race in Fontana, where following ‘teardown’ on Monday afternoon a valve spring that was not ours ended up at TRD’s California location,” he added.

“However, in less than 24 hours, that part was returned to the appropriate party. We made NASCAR aware of the incident, and they indicated it was not an issue.”

Mentioned Drivers: Michael Waltrip

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. Comments are intended to encourage spirited debate and discussion about the subject matter contained within the articles and ARE NOT intended for personal or demeaning attacks directed at other users. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate. Users who violate this policy may be banned from posting comments on the site.

Comment Preview

Nov 7, 2009 at 9:10 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have an account you can create a free one here.

2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

NASCAR Schedules

abc

Dickies 500

Texas Motor Speedway
03:31 PM, 11/08/2009

Poll PositionView All

Which NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner from the past two seasons is most likely to earn his first victory of 2009 in the next three races?

Promotions

  • Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.

  • Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.

  • Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account