NASCAR suspends Knaus for six weeks; Hendrick to appeal:
NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the #48 team in the Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500. The #48 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-2.1E (if in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted -- unapproved car body modifications). As a result, crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec have been suspended from the next six Sprint Cup Series championship events, suspended from NASCAR until April 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 9. Additionally, Knaus has been fined $100,000. Driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.(NASCAR)
AND Hendrick Motorsports will appeal sanctions announced by NASCAR related to the #48 Sprint Cup Series team. "Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process." Adjustments to #48 team personnel are not planned while the appeal is ongoing.(Hendrick Motorsports)(2-29-2012)
Jimmie Johnson's #48 received 2 points for his finish at the Daytona 500. If the penalty is upheld the #48 team will be -23 points in the point standings.
Tags:
hahahahahahahahahaha -23 points hahahahahahahahaha
Thats pretty effective for punishment. Nice to see Nascar come down on one of its permere teams. I promise to set a little time aside today to cry for Jimmie and HMS. Ha!
David Newton tweeted earlier that he was told by Hendrick that those exact c-pillars had passed inspection 16 times previously. That's probably the nature of the appeal.
Last week Rick Hendrick said this to ESPN regarding the illegal C pillars.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said before Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout that the car is the same one that Johnson ran in all four restrictor plate races last season, including the Daytona 500, and the roof had not been altered. He added that the car went to NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., for inspection and was returned without any notification of being outside the lines. "That car, we've run it four times,'' Hendrick said. "It was built for this place and they never touched the roof, and it's been to the Tech Center after they won Talladega (in the spring). All that's been done is paint it, so I don't get it.'' Hendrick acknowledged that this is the same car Knaus was caught on film prior to the October Talladega race telling Johnson to damage the rear end if he won. Johnson's car was taken back to the R&D center after that race and the remaining races in 2011.
Maybe this was why Chad wanted Jimmie to damage the rear of the car if he won?
Rick also said this to the USA Today on 2/23
Q: Are you planning to appeal if NASCAR penalizes the No. 48?
A: Yes. I think NASCAR does a good job in the garage area, and sometimes you agree and sometime you don't. I'm gathering all the facts on our end about when the car raced and who worked on it. We have really good documentation in our shop for every hour spent on a car and who does what with the mill and paint work. I've talked to the guys who do that work in the shop. I feel good about our position, but I have to sit down and go through it and present our case and go from there.
Q: You believe the car was legal?
A: Yes. It ran every restrictor-plate race we raced last year and went to the R&D Center. So, it's only been painted since then. It's been seen an awful lot (by NASCAR). So I need to get down to why it was wrong this time and (why) it's OK the other times.
Q: Did crew chief Chad Knaus tell you there's nothing different about the car?
A: The guys who do the body work have told me that. Chad doesn't do that work. I talked to Chad, but I talked to the other guys, too. They've stated they absolutely didn't touch that area since it was built before the 2011 Daytona 500.
it just confirms what i always say...it's the 17th time you do something that it finally bites you...
Appeal might change your thinking here, could come up roses for the acused, wait and see what nascrap does......
wow the 48 may have to Q on time for the Martinsville race (yes I know he is a PC but will be humbling)
I can't stand JJ and love when bad stuff happens to him but in my opinion no team should be penelized for any infraction found on a car prior to qualifiing. Until that car hs been on the track competitvly they haven't cheated. When the present the car for initial inspection they are basicly saying here is what I want to run do you see anything wrong with it. And until they earn points with the illegal part they shouldn't be penilzed points. It should be just like it is at most local short tracks. If you are caught cheating it should be like you weren't even there that night 0 points and 0 money earned.
© 2024 Created by TOG. Powered by