DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -Michael Waltrip's team was accused of trying to boost horsepower with an illegal substance - possibly a form of jet fuel, a person with knowledge of the NASCAR investigation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The substance was found inside the intake manifold of Waltrip's new Toyota Camry before qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. NASCAR seized the part and shipped it back to North Carolina for analysis, and spent all day Wednesday pulling parts and pieces from under the hood.
NASCAR is continuing the investigation, and penalties were forthcoming.
The manifold is a part of the engine that supplies the fuel/air mix to the engine cylinders. Waltrip's team coated the inside of it with an illegal substance that is believed to be a gelatin form of jet fuel, according to the same official, who requested anonymity because NASCAR had not finished its investigation.
Waltrip's team maintains it was oil.
