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

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, March 29, 2008
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Jerry Markland
Getty Images

Roush claims sway bar stolen by a Toyota team last year

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

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Michael Waltrip confirmed Friday afternoon that it was his team that Jack Roush was alluding to when saying a Toyota team had stolen a sway bar from Roush Fenway Racing at Dover last September.
        
“It was a mistake,” Waltrip said. “Look at the back of these toolboxes. There are sway bars, there’s jack handles, and it wound up in our possession. We called them and said, ‘We want to give this back.’ ”
        
Earlier in the day, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon said the issue is “good entertainment” and that he hopes that Roush isn’t taking it too seriously. He said if Roush is really upset then Gordon wants to know “what’s going on with that sway bar. Maybe there’s something that we’re missing that really truly is contributing to how fast their cars are going.”
        
Waltrip referred to Gordon’s comments on the issue and indicated that Gordon was more unbiased than Waltrip himself could be from the inside.
        
“I would like for Jeff Gordon to be our spokesman on this one,” Waltrip said. “I think he summed it up really well.”

Mentioned Drivers: Michael Waltrip

Comments

9 responses to "Waltrip: Our team took Roush Fenway part by 'mistake'". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Dan bordelon said:
    Mar 28, 2008 at 4:10 PM

    Hey, I think Gordon had a valid question. What makes this part so valuable anyway. I do not think it was known by altrip that the part wa sa Roush part and when he found out about it, he returned it as soon as possible. Jack even stated that he didn't feel the team owner knew about the incident until they contacted him. Oh well, let's see what all the bashers have to say now.

  2. 2
    Sandy Bailey said:
    Mar 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM

    Hey, first the fuel additive, now a sway bar. Just how far will Micheal go to be competitive with his team?

  3. 3
    renee young said:
    Mar 28, 2008 at 5:36 PM

    I have to agree with you Dan. Jack even said that Michael had NO knowledge of this so you haters don't start going off on him. Anyone that does go off on him is ignorant. It was stated that the part had fallen between their two toolboxes. So I would be willing to venture a guess and say that the thing had NO markings proving it was a Roush part, so an MWR team member picked it up thinking it was their's(MWR's) It wasn't until Roush finally realized it was missing MONTHS later did he have his little tiff, and didn't bring it up in the public until his team was found cheating. Seems a bit convienient(spelling?) don't you think? The part wasn't stolen. Jack is an idiot who needs to run his business better if he doesn't notice a part missing for months.

  4. 4
    KIP BYINGTON said:
    Mar 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM

    HOW LONG DOES A TEAM NEED TO RETURN A PART THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN "SHOWS UP" IN THEIR INVENTORY? SIX MONTHS IS A LONG TIME TO WAIT BEFORE RETURNING A PART. ANY GOOD TEAM, WOULD KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT THEIRS WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF RETURNING TO THE SHOP. AND YET I STILL CAN'T BLAME MIKEY...

  5. 5
    Phillip Betza said:
    Mar 28, 2008 at 10:38 PM

    IT's sounds like Roush was saving this to deflect bad press about the missing oil cover that just will not go away!

  6. 6
    DAVID C WILLIAM said:
    Mar 29, 2008 at 2:52 PM

    Hey, I think the "Cat in the Hat" is way off base here, because if he is accusing Mike Wallace team, who will be next. Jack must be getting senile in his old age and retire like most, if he thinks he is living in a Den of Theives. To me it is unfathomable that you would think one of these teams would resott to theivery. David Williams

  7. 7
    DAVID C WILLIAM said:
    Mar 29, 2008 at 2:55 PM

    I was watching the Truk Race today and put in Mike Wallace name instead of Mike Waltrip I apologize to all around. But text of statement still stand. Sorry for the Error, David Williams

  8. 8
    said:
    Mar 29, 2008 at 8:10 PM

    waltrip showed his true character with the fuel additive, the punishment was not enough. roush should have been punished more for the tank cover. i believe when you get caught cheating, you should not be eligable for the championship that year. THE CHEATING WOULD STOP

  9. 9
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Mar 30, 2008 at 11:24 AM

    Maybe Waltrip's team intentionally stole the part; maybe the part was taken by mistake. Whatever happened, happened and the two parties involved should be the ones who need to deal with it. I feel this has blown up way out of porportion. I just find it odd that Roush is trying to involve Toyota and NASCAR. Toyota is not there to police their teams and neither is NASCAR. If Roush thinks there was intent, then get the law involved. To me it is like a neighbor taking something from me and I ask my town to get involved. Senseless!!!!

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