NASCAR to suspend another cheater

UPDATE #2 This cheater has been suspended even longer. See Hot News page for the details. 10/01/05 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact.' Crew chief Todd Berrier was suspended for Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway after Kevin Harvick's car failed inspection. Harvick qualified second for the race, but his Chevrolet was disqualified after NASCAR found three violations in the trunk area. Car owner Richard Childress was called into the NASCAR office Saturday morning and informed Berrier was ordered from the track. It's not clear how long the suspension will last. Berrier sat out four races at the beginning of this season when he was caught rigging Harvick's fuel tank. He also was fined $25,000 and the team was docked points. Childress spent an hour arguing with NASCAR on Berrier's behalf. "If I said what I wanted to say right now I'd probably be in bigger trouble than Todd," Childress said. "All I can say is it's a new era in NASCAR." ESPN.com/AP

PLEASE GIVE US YOUR OPINION ON THE SITUATION AND BERRIER BEING ESCORTED OFF THE PREMISES: [Childress] "Well, I don't think he was escorted. He was just told he needed to leave, to clarify that. The next thing is, I gave my opinion to NASCAR this morning. They know my feelings on the situation that's happened over the past few weeks and I'm going to leave it at that. Let you all figure it out."

SOME THINGS HAVE HAPPENED WITH OTHER TEAMS LATELY WHICH HAVE NOT RESULTED IN A PENALTY. CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT: "I was very outspoken with NASCAR this morning and I'm going to leave it at that. I'm biting my tongue." GMRacing PR

10/01/05 NASCAR officials on Saturday ejected Todd Berrier, crew chief for Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick, from Talladega Superspeedway for the remainder of the race weekend. On Friday, NASCAR disallowed Harvick's qualifying speed after his No. 29 Chevrolet failed post-qualifying inspection, with several violations found in the trunk area of the car.

At the time, NASCAR officials indicated additional penalties were possible but would be announced next week. Overnight, however, NASCAR decided they would eject Berrier on Saturday morning.

Asked when he would be allowed to return, team owner Richard Childress said, "They said they would make that decision on Monday, and I gave my opinion on that."

However, Berrier is expected to receive another lengthy suspension, which may well carry through the end of the 2005 season, ThatsRacin.com has learned.

"We have sent him home for the rest of the weekend as a follow-up to his violation yesterday," NASCAR vice president for competition Robin Pemberton said. "What was the quote that (NASCAR President Mike) Helton used the other day in the driver meeting? That it was 'a distraction.' And these were repeat offenders."

Earlier this season, Berrier was fined $25,000, suspended four races and the team and driver each docked 25 points after it was discovered the team had altered the car's fuel cell prior to qualifying at Las Vegas. More at Thatsracin.com