Trey Gibson appeared to have picked up a win and a second place finish tonight at Greenville Pickens Speedway however as was the case several times last season the tech shed proved to be Gibson’s Achilles heel.
Gibson looked to be headed to a win in the first of twin 75-lap races on Opening Day at Greenville Pickens Speedway but that effort was thwarted by a last lap bump and run by Chase Purdy. Gibson rebounded in race two in dominating fashion with a green to checkered victory.
As the top runners headed to the tech shed the two winners were held over to have their intake and cam shaft examined in detail. The cam shaft on both Gibson and Purdy’s cars checked out to be by the rulebook but when it came to Gibson’s intake something appeared off. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series officials at Greenville Pickens Speedway examined it further and compared it to another Chevrolet intake before determining that it was illegal.
According to the track the intake was more than 70 thousands over the tolerance. An infraction that according to one competitor could be worth as much as 35-40 horsepower. Gibson’s uncle and car owner Randy Porter conceded that the part in question was illegal. He also offered his explanation.
“We don’t build engines,” said Randy Porter after Gibson’s car was officially tossed out from a first and second place finish. “It sucks but it was wrong. We didn’t build the engine and we rely on the engine builders to build an engine that will pass tech. It’s not Trey’s fault.”
Gibson was visibly upset at the prospect of being disqualified again, which according to him happened four or five times in 2015.
“Last year we got tossed out several times when we shouldn’t have,” said Gibson while the inspection process was finishing up but it was already clear he’d likely be disqualified. “The shocks at the beginning of the year that didn’t rebound fast enough in the cold temps but checked fine in a couple of days later. There was only one time we should have been thrown out, all the others was just crazy.”
Gibson continued to say that he felt like tech was performed differently when it comes to his car.
“It’s every time we race here,” explained Gibson. “We already feel like we’re down by running a Chevrolet and everyone else is running a Ford. Plus I don’t think they tech everyone like they tech me. We feel like we bring a knife to a gun fight when it comes to the tech shed.”
“Everyone’s car is illegal somewhere. I can honestly say the things I get disqualified for are very minor and out of my control. Why do I want to race somewhere when every time we show up we work our butts off and take the checkered and then get it taken from us. It’s unfair and takes the fun out of going to the track.”
Track promoter Anthony Anders is confident that the tech process is the same for everyone and he’s not trying to single out Gibson.
“We’re just trying to make sure that it’s fair for everyone,” commented Anders. “It’s the same for everyone and we try to make sure of that.”
Either way it was a bad ending to a great day for Gibson and a nearly perfect day for Chase Purdy who picked up both wins after Gibson’s disqualification.
