CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR issued steep penalties against five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and his team for failing the first inspection for the Daytona 500.
Crew chief Chad Knaus was fined $100,000 and suspended six races Wednesday, car chief Ron Malec also was barred for six races, and Johnson was docked 25 points, sending him into this weekend’s race last in the Sprint Cup Series standings.
The penalties stem from a failed inspection Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR said the No. 48 Chevrolet had illegally modified sheet metal between the roof and the side windows, an area known as the C-posts.
Hendrick Motorsports immediately said it would appeal, and Knaus and Malec can attend races during the process.
“Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process.”
The penalty drops Johnson to 43rd in the field, with minus-23 points. He’s trailing Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth by 70 points and is 58 points outside the top 10.
The Associated Press
