Knaus Penalized for Illegal C-Post

Long before the start of the Daytona 500 Jimmie Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus and the 48 team failed to pass car inspection. An illegal C-Post on the body of the car seemed suspicious to NASCAR and they immediately told the team to change it. They said they would not penalize him before the Daytona 500, but were looking into further punishment after the race.

Over 24 hours after the race, which finished in the early hours of Tuesday, NASCAR announced that crew chief of the 48 Chad Knaus would be suspended for the next 6 Cup races and under prohibition until May along with car chief Ron Malec. It doesn't end there though, Knaus was also fined $100,000 and driver Jimmie Johnson was docked 25 points in the standings. So far the Lowe's #48 team has had a rough start to 2012. He crashed in the first laps of the Daytona 500 after Elliott Sadler turned him into the wall. Johnson finished the 500 with 2 points. With the 25 point deduction it leaves the team at -23 points, not exactly what the 5-time champions hoped for. Although Rick Hendrick said the system broke out and they are going to attempt an appeal process with NASCAR to hopefully eliminate the penalty.

Exactly what was wrong with the car? NASCAR said that Johnson's C pillars connecting the roof to the rear deck lid looked to be illegally modified. NASCAR confiscated the parts and the car's owner Rick Hendrick sent new parts so they could pass 2nd inspection. Even though NASCAR allowed them to replace the parts with new and appropriate pieces they still disciplined the team. This is not the first time Chad Knaus broke NASCAR rules. In 2006 he was suspended from Speedweeks and the following 3 races for modification to the rear window. He was fined $25,000, but Johnson did go on to win the 500 with a substitute crew chief. I guess you could say nothing will stop this 5-time champion team from winning, not matter the circumstances.