“We feel that Michael did a more than adequate job of explaining his feelings to NASCAR, to the fans and to Toyota about what transpired. Obviously, we’re disillusioned,” said Toyota motorsports spokesman Les Unger. “We share in the team’s disappointment. But we feel that Michael is an individual of high character, and both he and we will move forward. We wish him all the best in today’s qualifying race.”

Waltrip’s penalties came one day after the crew chiefs for 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler all were suspended. All five drivers also were docked points in an unprecedented move by NASCAR, which never before had taken points before the season.

NASCAR officials would not reveal what they found in Waltrip’s intake manifold, but a person with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press it was a property contained in jet fuel. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the details.

Although Waltrip is still trying to figure out exactly what happened, he acknowledged teams aren’t supposed to mess with the fuel.

“In theory, it was supposed to hop the fuel up and make the car go faster,” Waltrip said. “It didn’t work. It’s not supposed to be there. It’s pretty plain and simple. You don’t do those things. I thought everybody knew that.”

Pemberton said only that the substance was not jet fuel itself.

The substance was found during Sunday’s inspection. Adding the substance, described by NASCAR as an oxygenate, would boost the octane in the fuel, thus making the engine run better at higher horsepower.

Pemberton said the substance was discovered when a NASCAR official reached his hand into the manifold to feel for loose parts.

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Some rival team members said they thought NASCAR should have taken away more points from Waltrip’s team, because in a sport where cheating is common, tampering with the fuel is a major no-no.

The last penalty NASCAR issued for a fuel-tampering violation was harsher than Waltrip’s. In May 2000, driver Jeremy Mayfield and team owner Michael Kranefuss each was penalized 151 points for a fuel-related violation found at Talladega Superspeedway.

“Throughout the garage area I think everybody knows you don’t mess around with tires, you don’t mess around with the engine, the restrictor plates,” Pemberton said. “Those things are very taboo.”

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