Roof flap issue keeps Truex Jr. parked in qualifying – Nascar

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Martin Truex Jr.’s bid for a Daytona 500 pole position never left the starting blocks Sunday afternoon, grounded by a technical issue with a roof flap on his Furniture Row Racing No. 78 Toyota.

Truex was scheduled as the 28th of 44 drivers to make a qualifying run for next Sunday’s “Great American Race,” but NASCAR officials delayed the team’s attempt after discovering a problem with the right-side hinged flap. The No. 78 Camry was placed on five-minute notice, but the time elapsed without Truex turning a single lap.

“There was something they didn’t like that they missed in there apparently,” Truex said after leaving the cockpit, unaware of the reason for the qualifying-day hitch. “Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Bad news for the team. Due to a roof flap issue the 78 will not go out to qualify today. #NASCAR #Daytona500

— Furniture Row Racing (@FR78Racing) February 14, 2016

We’ll start from the back in the Can-Am Duel on Thursday. #NASCAR #Daytona500

— Furniture Row Racing (@FR78Racing) February 14, 2016

Having pictures taken of your car on Daytona 500 qualifying day is typically a positive, but not when the photographer is NASCAR Sprint Cup Series director Richard Buck. As other competition officials raised the roof flap for closer inspection, Buck took photos with his cell phone as the No. 78 sat under the inspection tent where cars are checked for template compliance.

Second-year Furniture Row crew chief Cole Pearn shrugged at the extra scrutiny, offering a sheepish smile after a discussion with competition officials. The Canada native said the No. 78 entry had cleared Sunday morning inspection with no issues, but that officials found trouble with the way the roof flap came to rest when not deployed. He was also unsure why the team was directed to address the problem off the pit road qualifying grid and at the template tent.

“I guess it’s an issue with the right-side roof flap not going down as far as it needs to,” Pearn said. “I’m not really sure how it ended up that way or what changed down pit road, but whatever. Either way, we ran it back here for whatever reason, but we’ll see what they do and hopefully have a good rest of Speedweeks.”

NASCAR competition officials released a statement that read, “Prior to making a qualifying attempt for the Daytona 500, NASCAR officials on pit road determined that a roof flap on the No. 78 was not in compliance with prescribed specifications. The team was unable to correct the violation within the allotted five minutes per the NASCAR Rule Book, and forfeited their opportunity to make a qualifying attempt. The No. 78 will start at the rear of the field in their qualifying race.”

The Nos. 4 and 14 Stewart-Haas Racing cars had post-qualifying inspection issues and also were moved to the rear of the field for the Can-Am Duels.

The issue placed Truex last on the qualifying chart with no speed posted, meaning he’ll start at the rear of the field in one of Thursday’s Can-Am Duel qualifying races that will set the Daytona 500 lineup. Truex is guaranteed a place in the field, but may have to start further back than the team had hoped.

“We’ll roll on and see what they decide to do,” Pearn said, hinting at possible sanctions from NASCAR’s competition arm. “Too bad. I thought we had a really good car and good speed in it, so it would’ve been nice to see what we could’ve run at least.”