Ryan Newman disappointed by penalties, denies team manipulated tires

Though NASCAR determined otherwise and issued heavy sanctions, which were upheld by National Motorsports Final Appeal Officer Bryan Moss on Wednesday, Ryan Newman contends his Richard Childress Racing team did not manipulate its tires.

“That’s why we feel like we had a compelling case to win and I’ll leave it at that,” Newman said Friday at Kansas Speedway.

Tires confiscated off Newman’s car during the March 22 race at Auto Club Speedway were found to be altered to slowly bleed air out of the tires over a long green flag run. Doing so improves grip and increases speed.

Rumors of tire manipulation in the sport had been rampant since last fall, with NASCAR seizing tires from several teams through the early portion of this season. But only Newman’s team was found in violation.

Luke Lambert, Newman’s crew chief, along with two other members of the No. 31 team have each been suspended six weeks. Additionally, Lambert has been fined $75,000 and Newman docked 50 points. NASCAR initially penalized Lambert $125,000 and Newman 75 points, but both penalties were reduced on first appeal.

“I’m obviously disappointed,” Newman said. “I don’t believe at all in the outcome of it, but in the end it doesn’t really matter. We’ve got to be focused on this weekend and obviously the Chase for the Championship. It’s as simple as that. It’s all behind us now and we’ll go on.”

Lambert and tire technician James Bender and engineer Philip Surgen can return for the July 5 race at Daytona International Speedway. RCR appointed Todd Parrott interim crew chief for the No. 31 team.

The points penalty drops Newman from fifth in the standings to 14th overall. A year ago he was one of three drivers who made the NASCAR’s playoffs via the points ranking after failing to win a race during the regular season. Newman ultimately placed runner-up in the championship behind Kevin Harvick.

Working with Lambert, Newman has four top-five and six top-10 finishes in 10 races this season. Citing RCR’s depth, Newman is confident there will be no decrease in performance without his crew chief.

“That’s what makes a championship team is having back-up plans, strategy-wise and personnel-wise and things like that,” Newman said. “Whether it’s a member of a pit crew that gets injured or a crew chief that gets suspended or any kind of situation, they always have to have a back-up plan.

“We’ve established a good ‘B’ team that we have a lot of confidence in and we’re focused on that. There’s no doubt in my mind that the race car is going to be just as competitive as it ever has been, and we obviously have guys back at the shop that are paying more attention than they ever have now.”