No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team Penalized For Infractions At Daytona International Speedway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2012) – NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 48 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500.
The No. 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 (6) NASCAR 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.
For more information, contact:
Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications, (704) 720-3115 or ktharp@nascar.com.
And the 48 Team thought it couldn't get any worse then the bad finish in the Daytona 500. Boy they are in a bit of a hole now. I think Johnson is now in last place in the standings -70 points behind the leader.
Will he over come this or will it keep them out of the chase ???
These guys just don't seem to get it. ???
70 points behind the leader isnt even a dent in the chase hopes for the 48 or 24. Remember its race ONE. A couple tops 5s and a win in the next 4 or 5 races would put Johnson into the top 10, if not top 5.
Everyone every year talk about big names doing bad for the first 3 or 4 races in a row, and saying they will never bounce back....Then buy June they are right back into the thick of it, with still 10 or 11 races before the chase even starts.
Remember, the nascar season is one of the longest in sports, those guys dont even start counting points till 10 races in.
I think the suspension is Bull S__t. When Nascar templated the car it met all the necessary contact points. Nascar didn't like the modifications to the C towers so requested they be removed and replaced. Car was in pre race inspection and never turned a lap before repairs were done. Where was the advantage. Nascar is just trying to make a point that they are n control whether cars meet necessary specifications or not. If Nascar doesn't like what they see, then rules or not it must be changed.
Why was Bowyer not penalized with suspensions and points for failing ride height after 150 qualifier. No, lets just put him to the back for the start of the race which makes no difference at Daytona anyway.