#48 Fines & Suspensions

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.

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on February 29, 2012 at 6:14pm

I sort of agree with you about not penalizing a team if an infraction is found prior to hitting the track, but the other side of that is, every team and I mean every team will be doing illegal stuff in the hopes of not getting caught, and knowing if they do there is no penalty. Can you imagine how long it will take to get through inspection?

Also I have seen it and you hear all the time about teams not passing pre inspection and going back to the garage and fixing the issue before trying again. My understanding is if NASCAR Tech does not see the infraction as being a blatant attempt to gain a performance advantage they will let you go threw the "Room of Doom" again without penalty. I was told that in the Daytona Truck race many teams did not fit the template at pre inspection and were in the garage banging on sheet metal. I have yet to hear about any truck teams being fined for it.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Martinez on February 29, 2012 at 6:26pm

I can't comment on this (five words)

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Permalink Reply by mj on February 29, 2012 at 6:45pm

Lol Michael don't take what I said the wrong way I meant it as a compliment you are a wizard of words

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Permalink Reply by Dane Saritelli on February 29, 2012 at 6:53pm

Racing has always had somebody pushing the gray areas that is what made it what it is. If it makes it to the track and they get caught then the get the penalty, if they don't more power to them. Remember the old saying, it's only cheating if you get caught. And trust me I have done it for years at my local short track, and finally got caught last year, we took our punishment and didn't complain, and actually went faster after we were legal.