NASCAR Deals Out Penalties to Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Team

6-week Suspensions!  After failing a template inspection during opening day for the Daytona 500, (Feb. 17, 2012), NASCAR has distributed penalties in regards to the infraction.

The Infraction:

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).

Bruce's note: This involved a part of the car body back by the C-Post, which did not conform to template measurements.
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The Penalties

Suspensions

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.

Points Loss

Driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.

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Jimmie Johnson came out of Daytona with 2 points in the driver standings... as did the car owner!  Hence, a 25-point penalty puts the tally at -23 points!  Jimmie definitely has a hole to climb out of, but he's done it before.  In fact, it seems his team performs best when they are forced to work hard at it.

The penalties come as no surprise but as far as I'm concerned, bodes well for Jimmie Johnson!

The years that he's had to do without Chad Knaus or had a bad time in the Daytona 500 have been very good years for the No. 48 Lowes team.

So look out guys!
-Bruce