Kyle Barnes was stripped of his third career NASCAR Whelen All-American Series victory on Monday following a protest of his engine. Kingsport Speedway confirmed the disqualification late Monday evening.
“On Friday, June 5, the engine in Kyle Barnes’ Late Model Stock Car was protested,” a statement posted on Kingsport Speedway’s website read. “The engine was inspected this evening (Monday). Following the inspection process, the engine did not pass. Kres VanDyke has been awarded the win for the June 5 event. Final results and championship standings will be updated to reflect these findings.”
The disqualification resulted in Kres VanDyke being awarded the win, his fourth Kingsport win and his 10th overall win on the 2015 season. While Kingsport Speedway did not state what the cause for the disqualification was, Barnes said he has heard that his rocker arms were the cause of the disqualification.
“I had to work tonight and was unable to get off,” Barnes told RACE22.com on Monday night. “I heard it was rocker arms, but I’m not entirely certain what it was pertaining to them. I’m still getting information just as everyone else is. It’s hard, but that’s just part of racing. We will move on from this and go on to the next race, wherever it may be, hungry for another w in.”
RACE22.com reached out to Kingsport Speedway public relations representative Chase Brashears who offered an eloquently worded statement not commenting any further on the situation.
“At this time, we are not elaborating anymore than what the statement says,” Brashears told RACE22.com.
RACE22.com will update this story as any more information becomes available.
