If you are a NASCAR fan and you are not aware of the Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, and Ron Malec penalties…I am a bit puzzled. We are all, or so I hope, aware that on Friday, February 17th, NASCAR claimed to have found modifications on the rear quarter panel of Johnson’s Lowe’s Chevrolet. NASCAR confiscated the “c-posts” after the car failed the initial inspection for the Daytona 500. The 48 team rebuilt the car and it eventually passed inspection for the race. However, NASCAR would slap some heavy penalties on Hendrick Motorsports’ 48 team. The team lost 25 owner’s points, and 25 driver’s points (sending Johnson negative in the points after finishing deep in the field via a Lap 2 wreck). Chad Knaus was fined $100,000 and suspended for 6 championship races, suspended from NASCAR until April 18th, and on NASCAR probation until May 9th. Ron Malec, Johnson’s car chief was suspended for 6 championship races, suspended until April 18th, and put on probation until May 9th.
Team owner, Rick Hendrick, disagreed with the penalties. The team claimed this was the same car that was used in last season’s restrictor plate races.
“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.”
Mr. Hendrick, however, did acknowledge that it was the same car Johnson raced in Talladega with when Knaus told him to wreck the rear end if he won the race. So, in disagreement, Mr. Hendrick filed an appeal and that was eventually heard a week ago today, March 13th. NASCAR upheld the original penalties that were given to all individuals stating that Johnson, Knaus, Malec, and team violated Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing;” Section 12-4(J): “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event;” and Section 20-2.1(E): “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.”
After the first appeal a furious Hendrick told the cameras he was continuing the appeal process because, “I don’t accept it, period,” Hendrick said of the ruling. “We feel strongly about this issue and will continue to pursue it to the next level.”
Now in my opinion, I fully believe that this team should pay the price given by NASCAR, and in fact their lucky they were not penalized more heavily. This team it seems like, gets caught cheating nearly every year. Last year, they got away with it, some how! There was no mistaking that Chad Knaus told Johnson to wreck that car if he won it. (Click the hyperlink to see video). Now I do not mean to sound harsh or anything, and it’s not that Jimmie won five championships in a row. They’re caught nearly every season with modifications. This is the reason, they deserve, in my opinion, even more penalties. Chad Knaus is a proven cheater. Don’t believe me? Chad Knaus was penalized in 2001 with Stacy Compton. So far, under Hendrick and Johnson’s camp he has been penalized in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 (howver this would be repealed), 2007, (2011, if you count the, “hit the rear” comment at Talladega), and this year at Daytona. Okay so, if I did feel the penalties should not be as harsh, I would take away the penalties on Johnson’s drivers points and Gordon’s owners points, but I believe wholeheartedly, Chad Knaus, especially, should be penalized further in addition to Ron Malec.
But today began the long awaited final decisions for the final appeal. Mr. Hendrick argued two things. First, that NASCAR never actually measured the car with templates but rather made the accusation merely based on visual observations. Second, it was the same car used at the four restrictor plate races last year. And that proved to be a point to make as Hendrick won the appeal. The panel reinstated all points for Johnson and Gordon and all of the suspensions were lifted. This is quite shocking as the first appeal, changed nothing; I thought some would be lifted, but not everything in the final appeal. I guess it is Rick Hendrick getting the last laugh this time! I would have said Chad Knaus, but he still owes NASCAR $100K!
Well that is all I have for this lap, let me know what you think below or on twitter @bryantdouglass!