Protest at Joliet?

[Mike Pearson]

Below is the actual rule relating to a protest from the NHRA rule book

1.6.5 Protest Procedures Contestant protests must be filed with the proper officials the day prior to eliminations (class and/or eliminator) of that category or as outlined in writing before a protest will be accepted. Protests by Event Officials may be entered at any time during the event at no charge. Inspections of protested vehicles and outcomes related thereto are not limited to the subject matter of the protest.
Protests must be accompanied by a protest fee as outlined below. Protest fee, minus Technical Department expenses, will be forfeited to the vehicle owner if the protested vehicle is found in compliance with the requirements of its class of competition. If an inspection proves a protested vehicle to be out of its proper class, fees will be refunded, less expenses, and the non-compliant entry will be subject to action as the Event Officials or Technical Department may impose, including possible disqualification, fines, suspension, and/or revocation of competition privileges.
A protested engine must be disassembled for inspection and reassembled by the vehicle owner and/or crewmembers. Failure or refusal to disassemble an engine upon demand from an Event Official will result in the removal of the vehicle from further competition and is cause for removal of the vehicle, owner, driver, and crewmembers from the racing facility and such other or further penalties as deemed appropriate by NHRA.
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series category protest fees:
Cubic inch check (without removing head) ..............$250
Bore and stroke only (with head removed) ..............$350
Inspect head on engine, remove and inspect vehicle ......$300
Remove oil pan, inspect rods and crank ................$400
Heads, valves, carburetor, bore and stroke. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$450
Remove oil pan, rod, piston and inspect crank ...........$500
Heads, valves, carburetor, bore and stroke plus cam ......$600
Electronic devices ................................$600
Any Professional category protest ..................$1,000
Contestant protests may only be filed by a driver or registered vehicle owner competing in the same event and in the same
eliminator category, as the vehicle being protested. NHRA reserves the right to reject any protest filed that it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, is frivolous or intended to harass another competitor or to otherwise gain some unfair competitive advantage.