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“Once you win, they come and nitpick it.”
— Justin Philpott, Whelen All-American Western Late Models racer
 The Philpotts’ crew prepares Justin Philpott’s Monte Carlo for the post-race inspection Saturday at Altamont Motorsports Park. According to NASCAR officials, the suspension failed the exam. Bob Brownne/Tracy Press
Philpott took an early lead over Doff Cooksey in Saturday’s Whelen All-American Western Late Models race, the first of two Saturday, at Altamont. Track points leader Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton moved into third place in the third lap and moved into second on the 27th lap, when Cooksey dropped out of the race with a water pump problem.
Philpott held onto the lead for the rest of the 50-lap race, and took the checkered flag with Gilbert right on his rear bumper.
In the post-race examination of Philpott’s car, NASCAR technical inspectors determined that the car’s suspension violated NASCAR and Altamont rules for Western Late Model cars.
Officials disqualified Philpott from the race and declared Gilbert the winner.
“Once you win, they come and nitpick it,” Philpott said as the group of inspectors lifted the hood, put his car up on jacks, took off the wheels and examined it in detail. Post-race inspections are routine, though David Philpott, Justin’s father, said they have the potential to become controversial if all drivers aren’t treated the same.
He said he’d like to see Gilbert’s car get the same scrutiny, especially now that NASCAR and Altamont have fewer restrictions on who can work on engines. In the past, all engines were sealed at the General Motors factory and would have to go to NASCAR-approved mechanics for overhauls.
Gilbert said his team is diligent about making sure every component is in compliance.
“We’re getting as much scrutiny as they are,” he said. “Everyone feels like they’re being picked on. The officials scour our cars.”
Track general manager Jeff Macy said inspectors found that Philpott’s suspension was modified in violation of NASCAR rules, but he isn’t making any judgments on whether the Philpotts knew it was in violation.
“As far as I’m concerned, the Philpotts are the cream of the crop among our competitors. The last thing we want to do is disqualify one of our young lions,” Macy said. “When you do catch them, you have to go by the rules or you won’t have any credibility with your technical people.”
David and Justin Philpott have raced two Monte Carlos at Altamont this year, one that David Philpott drove earlier in the season and the one that Justin drove up until last week, including his first win on July 5 and in his third-place finish on Aug. 9. On Aug. 16, and again on Saturday, Justin drove the car that his father drove in two races earlier in the season, including David’s win at Altamont on April 26.
David Philpott said the car has the same equipment today as when he bought it, and he didn’t believe it was in violation. He added that inspectors examined the car on April 26 and again last week, when Justin came in eighth, and didn’t say anything about the suspension.
“It wasn’t part of our technical last week,” NASCAR technical inspector Larry Armstrong said after the race. “It was (part of the inspection) the week before but that was a different car.”
Armstrong added that inspectors told David Philpott that the car was disqualified from only the one race, and could enter Saturday’s second race if the nonconforming parts were replaced. The Philpotts didn’t enter the second race, but David said he would replace the suspension parts in question with those that NASCAR inspectors will approve.
The final result gives Gilbert his ninth win in 17 races this season. Gary Glenn of Orangevale came in second, Mark Holman of Los Altos was third, Mike David of Modesto fourth and Kyle Gottula of Modesto fifth.
In the second WLM 50-lap race, Glen Cook of Fremont took the early lead with Greg Hock of Ione close behind and Mark Holman in third. Holman moved up into the lead on Lap 25, and Gottula came from behind and passed Hock, but Holman was too far ahead for any of them to catch up.
At the end, it was Holman in first, Gottula in second, Hock in third, Gilbert in fourth and Cook in fifth.
Other winners in Saturday’s event included David Goodwill in the Northern California Modified Association sprint cars, 4.1 seconds ahead of Pat Ariaz of Manteca. Colby Potts won the Future Champions Development Series race over Tyler Thomas.
• We want to hear what you have to say. Comment on this story at www.tracypress.com, or to reach Sports Editor Bob Brownne, call 830-4227 or e-mail
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First of all people need to know that that altamont track changed some of thier rules just in the past few weeks. With only 5 races to go they all of a sudden change rules that apply to the drivers cars??? This kid can drive and he can drive fast, there is no cheating invloved, it's called knowledge, and determination! I wonder why I have never seen that #44 car driven by Gilbert get the fine tooth comb after a race? Also in the pre-race inspections dont you think that the " fine knowledgeable" altamont officals would be looking for any "non-conforming" parts??? Or is it just normal to wait untill the big win, and then rip it away from someone??? This kid is a 3rd generation racer! His family is honest, and I know from the bottom of my heart they were not cheating!!! Also there is always more to the story then the paper prints out, no one knows the entirety of the cetails that went on in the pits after the race!! Justin you are still #1 in my book no matter what!!! oh and BTW..... that is a nice picture of the philpott crew the press took, especially my daddy standing there!! 
a longer coil on one side?? a stiffer Coil??
a spacer??? all these could have been added. that would be Cheating.
I'd like to know more details.
I saw a race at the Altamont once where a guy had an Engine Block in the trunk of his "Hobby Class" Probably to lessen rear slidding as Hobby Class does.. and he hit the wall right at the stands, His trunk flew open and the block flew out and hit the chain link fence in front of the stands...someone could have been Killed. I also saw a Gran-Prix Race Thats the Top of the Classes.. and one racer had water in His side body ground effects...to make his weight class...then when the race started He drained the water out slowly and became lighter...again Cheating.
I'm Not saying the Phillpots were Cheating. just that many do, from the bottom ( Hobby Class) all the way up to Gran-Prix....
and what many do is Dance right up to the Edge of the Rules..
Then squawk when they get Busted.