NASCAR Disputes Claims By RCR Expert

NASCAR is disputing allegations by Richard Childress Racing’s top witness that the team was prevented from examining Clint Bowyer’s Chevrolet in the days following his disputed win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Dr. Charles Manning owns Accident Reconstruction Analysis in Raleigh, N.C., and was hired by RCR to testify on the team’s behalf before the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Board last Wednesday. Manning testified that the rear of Bowyer's car was knocked out of tolerance when pushed by a wrecker after running out of fuel; a theory that was ultimately rejected by the panel.

In an exclusive interview on Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody following the ruling, Dr. Manning claimed RCR was prevented from examining the car after the race. “We never saw the car, we never saw any data, we never saw any pictures,” said Manning. “We were not allowed to see the car. RCR has never seen the car from the time it was in the Winner’s Circle. NASCAR simply said `It was out of specification.’”

NASCAR’s Managing Director of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston bristled at those accusations Saturday at Kansas Speedway, calling them “patently untrue.” After consulting with Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton and Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby, Poston said, “Dr. Manning never asked to see the car at any time.” Poston also revealed that Richard Childress Racing was free to examine the car “anytime they want” and was well aware of that open-door policy.