Lance McGrew, the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., was missing from today’s driver/crew chief meeting prior to the Gatorade Duel.
Dale Jr.‘s Crew Chief Misses Drivers Meeting; But NASCAR Says No Penalty
But NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said there is no penalty for when a crew chief misses the meeting – even though officials take attendance every week. If a driver misses the meeting, he must drop to the rear of the field prior to the start.
Poston said Earnhardt Jr. would be allowed to start from the pole in his Duel race and that McGrew would not be fined.
Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief and a teammate to McGrew, was late for the meeting but eventually showed up. He walked in and sheepishly waved to officials about five minutes after the meeting had started.
It is very unusual for a driver or crew chief to miss the prerace meeting. The meetings are typically held two hours before the race, though this one was 45 minutes earlier than usual.
No. 88 team spokeswoman Laura Scott said of McGrew’s absence, “He was just working and running late. No excuses.”
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