Full Throttle

The Michael Waltrip Saga continues, this is what we know so far:

A “substance” was found inside the intake manifold of Waltrip’s #55 Toyota Camry before qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Officials impounded the cars manifold in an effort to determine what the “substance” was if any.

Later the car was impounded to inspect other parts on the car, presumably the entire fuel delivery system. That was followed some hours later by reports of suspensions and fines would soon follow.

According to ESPN.com, NASCAR chairman Brian France and president Mike Helton met with Waltrip prior to Wednesday’s practice session at Daytona with one official describing the situation as “very serious”.

Gee, do ya think!?

Waltrip’s crew chief and team director have been tossed out of the 500 and suspended indefinitely because of the aforementioned illegal “substance.” Waltrip was docked 100 points and crew chief Hyder was given the bum’s rush out of the garage and fined $100,000.

Now the story takes an unusual turn.

CBS Sports is reporting, via the Associated Press (quoting “a person with knowledge of the NASCAR investigation”) the substance found was “possibly a form of jet fuel.”

“I don’t think this is anything that we’ve seen in the recent past,” said competition director Robin Pemberton.

Well now, isn’t that interesting!

As one who has had more than a passing interest in jet fuel via a 20 plus year naval career [a large portion as an Air Intercept Controller (AIC)], I have a working knowledge of what is used by both the military and commercial aviation to soar through the skies. Can’t have an FA-18 under my direct and positive control drop out of the sky can we?

So… with a quick look at my special watch I’m very tempted to raise the BullShit flag on the incredable stupidity of the Waltrip Team. Note I say tempted and not hauled up. I haven’t seen or inspected the manifold in question.

The U.S. Military uses kerosene based fuels (actually most jet aviation) and they are designated as JP-1 thru JP-8 although JP-8 is the predominate choice by the Air Force and JP-5 is used by the Navy because of it’s higher flash point.

Those flash points are why I have my hand on the halyard ready to hoist the BS flag. JP-5’s flash point is 60