Michael Waltrip: Liar or Clueless?

When Michael Waltrip claimed he knew nothing about the inside of his intake manifold being painted with titanium oxide, was he lying?

Most drivers have nothing to do with the engine prep on their cars. But when that driver is also the team owner/operator, can he really claim he has no idea about what's going into his engine? If he truly didn't know the paint was in the manifold, what does that say about his team ownership skills?

Waltirp has claimed the paint inside his manifold was put there by (now former) crewchief David Hyder without his knowledge, and that Hyder was solely responsible for the rules infraction. Since Waltrip is the team owner, would he really be in the dark about what's going into his racing engines, especially when he's right there in the garage, or is his statement really just a way to save face in front of a very annoyed Toyota?

For those who don't know, titanium oxide paint (when ignited form engine heat) when burning gives off pure oxygen. Imagine giving a shot of pure oxygen to the motor after the restrictor plate, and what kind of a performance boost that would bring.