Im not sure what that was about. WoO also changed the rule on the wing mount tubing as some of them had been collapsing, Could have had a old one.

I doubt he was trying to get away with anything, Home track.
We'll probably never know and the real reason is known only by WoO and Stockons team, As it should be.

That four inch rule certainly wasn't in effect back in the days Sheldon Kinser's head stuck out three inches above the cage.