The most serious incident during the 10 hours of testing came during the evening session when Johnny Benson's No. 23 Toyota slammed the wall. However, Benson was not driving the truck at the time of the accident.
The Bill Davis Racing team had allowed what NASCAR called "an unapproved driver" behind the wheel and, as a result, the team was ejected from the remainder of the two-day testing session. The driver was not identified.
"NASCAR has guidelines in place for who can compete in any sanctioned event, whether it be a race or a test," said NASCAR spokesman Josh Hamilton. "The No. 23 team was outside the NASCAR guidelines and as a result was sent home from the test immediately."
Team owner Bill Davis less than happy with Benson, Truck team’s choices
By JIM UTTER / The Charlotte Observer
Team owner Bill Davis appeared none too pleased with his Truck series driver, Johnny Benson, who allowed a friend to take some laps in his No. 23 Toyota Thursday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The real trouble started when the non-licensed driver wrecked.
NASCAR officials ejected the team from the test when they learned it was not Benson in the truck. The driver and team were also barred from Friday’s test at the Charlotte track.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” Davis said. “I didn’t even know his name. I had no earthly idea that he was driving the truck. I guess he’s a friend of Johnny’s, Johnny’s mentor.
"None of our people knew about it. I mean, obviously, the crew chief and those guys did. Nobody in management knew anything about it.”
NASCAR officials said the unlicensed driver was
Mike Lichty.
Benson was ordered to come to Darlington for a meeting on Friday with Davis, NASCAR president Mike Helton and Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition. The team faces additional penalties.
“Oh, I think there will be some repercussions, certainly,” Davis said. “That’s about against the rules as anything I’ve seen happen.”
Per:
http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000109/010976.htmhttp://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/4203.htmlLinkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=6016.msg24745#msg24745
