Report: 2006 NASCAR Chase Contender Used Illegal Tires

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The Speed Channel has issued a report accusing Robert Childress Racing (RCR) of using illegal tire setups during the running of the Sylvania 300 at Loudon, New Hampshire on Sunday. Accusations were leveled at Jeff Burton and the crew of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet by SPEED reporter Bob Dillner, who reported that Burton’s tire setup featured a “bleeder valve” which would release air pressure from the tire. Though no specific rule exists regarding modified tires, such a modification would constitute an unfair performance enhancement, according to a statement released by NASCAR on Tuesday. Charges of using modified tires were also leveled against the #29 Chevrolet, also owned by Robert Childress Racing.

Burton, a Chase for the Nextel Cup Participant for the first time in his career, was deeply agitated by the report. “It’s pissed us off,” he said. “It’s made us mad. It’s made us very mad. We’ve done nothing wrong. We have no trick that’s made us run well.” Burton finished seventh at New Hampshire, and is currently fifth in the overall Nextel Cup Standings.

The Chase for the Nextel Cup is a ten race playoff system, whereby the top ten drivers after the 26-race “regular season” (or any driver within 400 points of the points leader) compete for the Nextel Cup, NASCAR’s overall points championship. Kevin Harvick leads the points standings after winning Race #1: the Sylvania 300 on Sunday. Race #2 in the Chase for the Nextel Cup is at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware on Sunday, September 24th, 2006. The race can be seen starting at 12:30 PM on TNT.

CREDIT: NASCAR.com