Last weekend BRP held the NeSmith Dirt Late Model World Championships with a $10,000 to win payout. Whitener attended with a Bubba Army Engine which comes from the Bubba Performance Engines and are NeSmith approved. NeSmith rules are to be followed at all tracks that run their series. Before qualifying the left rear, right rear, and right front tires are checked with a tire sniffer and drivers must go to the infield to put tires on then sent on to the track to qualify. Friday night Mark qualified fastest and started on the pole in the heat race to finish it with the win.
Saturday night's race was what fans were hoping for with Mark Whitener and Don O'neal swapping the lead 6 or 7 times. At one point Mark did a slide job on Don and caused his car to push and slide up causing Don to slide into the back of Whitener and O'neal spinning out in the process. During caution O'neal retaliated by spinning Mark out. O'neal was sent to the pits and Whitener was given his spot back and continued to lead the race till the checkered flag dropped. What happened after brought what should have been an exceptional weekend with a $10,000 check to a screeching halt.
In all NeSmith races the series will tear the car's engine completely down all the way to the crankshaft. Upon checking Whitener's car the series had the heads off and oil pan off but upon checking the pistons it was noticed that the arrows on the pistons, instead of facing forward were pointing backwards and Ivedent Lloyd was declared the winner. Mark was told then and there on the spot that he was being disqualified because the motor does not come from GM like that. On top of being disqualified he was given a $1000 fine and a 365 suspension from any NeSmith Touring or weekly series races. With Mark running a Bubba Army Engine the track owner Bubba didn't think anything would be wrong with the motor so he left before the teardown was complete.
When Bubba learned of what happened he called Mark on the following Sunday and told him he would rectify the situation. Bubba paid Mark the $1000 for the fine, bought him a brand new crate motor and paid him the $10,000 he would have won which is completely unheard of from an engine builder. It was a mistake that someone, not involved with Mark's pit crew, did and whom didn't have much knowledge in crate motors thinking they were helping. Mark and his crew never messed with the motor to cheat nor have an unfair advantage. Many people on the internet have had their opinions but Whitener says that's not what he's about. He wants to come to the race track every week and run a clean race. Mark also says it was an honest mistake. Some of the situation was rectified but the NeSmith Series still stands firm with there decision because at the end of the day the pistons were facing the wrong way.
Mark Whitener has no hard feelings toward the series nor with Bubba. He says everyone in the series did their job and can't be faulted with that. What a way to start and end a racing season. Full of drama from beginning to end. Mark was altogether happy with this season and who wouldn't be with as many races as he won and 2 championships under his belt. Next year is what he's already looking forward to. He says hopefully he'll be running some Fastrack Crate Series races and some more big money races. If he can out do this year's run it remains to be seen but he is one to never be counted out and never one to back down from the challenge.
