Knaus suspended for 6-weeks team docked 25 owner and driver points!!!

[Chris Tobin]

Here is the latest according to jayski.com:

•NASCAR suspends Knaus for six weeks; Hendrick to appeal: NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the #48 team in the Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500. The #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 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.(NASCAR)
AND Hendrick Motorsports will appeal sanctions announced by NASCAR related to the #48 Sprint Cup Series team. "Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process." Adjustments to #48 team personnel are not planned while the appeal is ongoing.(Hendrick Motorsports)(2-29-2012)

I'm sure the team will perform fine without Knaus as they have already proven that they can do that in the past when he was suspended. The big problem for them is going to be the 25 point penalties. Currently the team only has 2 points after the bad finish at Daytona. Remember that the max points you can earn in a race is 45 with so the team is now more than 1.5 races out of the lead!!! Think about it they will have -23 points if the penalties are not turned over in the appeal!!! That much of a deficit may be very har to recover from. They might have to use a champions provisional to get into some races since they will probably be out of the top 35 for a while and they may not even be able to rally back to make the Chase. This will have huge implications for the 48 team, and it may scrap their entire season!

What do you guys think???

By the way, they will probably go out and dominate PHX this Sunday leading the most laps and winning the race but they will still be 1.5 races down to the leader is Kenseth and Jr do good in PHX too!!!

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[michael_loomis]

It would be crippling to an average team... but they are no average team and will be just fine.

[pdailey]

How many times has Knaus been busted? We all know he pushes way beyond the envelope. You want these guys to stop cheating, park them for a weekend or 2.

[07FJRog]

I think it is BS really. I am a Ford Rousch fan, but this is wrong. It was the first inpsection before any time on the track. if this had been found after any time on the track then I could possibly agree with a penalty, but they changed out the suspect part/sheetmetal before it entered the track, so no penalty should have been given. If anything maybe a season long probation period.

[woundedyak]

Knaus is a genius! He has 26 more races to make up 25pts. I think they will be fine. He must of violated the rules directly for nascar to slap his hand that hard. It usually isn't that sever if it's a "grey area"

[bajafox]

What would a NASCAR season be without a 48 cheating scandal? haha

[AZracefan]

Heard just for the 48 to be above zero points needs to finish 20th or better. JJ has most wins at PHX and best PHX average at 5th. It did put them down a bit, but they will be right back up there this weekend. may not seem too bad right now, but these 25pts could mean alot more come the end of the season.

[bajafox]

If he drives anywhere near JPM at Phoenix he'll probably end up in another wreck

[wheeli]

Even though they currently sit -23 pts they arnt a go or go homer,there in the next 4 races based on last years points and after the first 5 races are over if there not in the top 35 in pts then they can use champions provisionals after that I think 5 times in one season but seriously its Jimmy freakin Johnson he will be in the top 10 in know time.

[dezertdoug]

If Hendricks appeals witch they say they will the appeal board could raise the fines and point deductions to even more. Its been done before. The board may not be az soft considering knaus previous record.