Gordon, Johnson penalized
NASCAR increased its punishment for
Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, but some might wonder if the sanctioning body went far enough in disciplining them.
Both teams failed inspection for improper modifications to the front fenders last week at Infineon Raceway. NASCAR held both teams out of practice and qualifying Friday -- something series officials hadn't done this year -- and added these penalties Tuesday:
* Jeff Gordon and Johnson each lost 100 driver points.
* Jeff Gordon's crew chief, Steve Letarte, and Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, each were suspended for six races, fined $100,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
* Rick Hendrick was penalized 100 owner points for Jeff Gordon's car, and Jeff Gordon was penalized 100 owner points for Johnson's car.
Do you think the penalties were fair? Go to Dustin Long's blog, NASCAR Chase, and give us your opinion.
Jeff Gordon remained the series points leader, though his advantage over second-place Denny Hamlin shrank to 171 heading into Sunday's race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Johnson fell from third to fifth in the points race. Matt Kenseth, now third, and Jeff Burton, fourth, each moved up a spot.
"We are disappointed in NASCAR's decision and feel the penalties are excessive," Hendrick said in a statement.
Hendrick said the team was evaluating whether to appeal the ruling. Hendrick Motorsports also must decide who the crew chiefs will be for Jeff Gordon and Johnson through the Aug. 12 race at Watkins Glen. A decision on both is expected this week. Letarte and Knaus can return for the Aug. 19 race at Michigan.
The crew chiefs can continue to work in the shop and attend test sessions. They also can communicate with the team via cell phone, text message, e-mail, etc., at the track each weekend. They are not allowed to be in the garage during a race weekend.
While Hendrick lamented the penalties, some might question Knaus' suspension. He's a repeat offender. NASCAR suspended him for the first four races last season after a violation in Daytona 500 qualifying, one of several infractions he has been penalized for in his career. NASCAR has said it examines a person's history when determining a penalty.
In this case, NASCAR appears to be making a difference between this infraction, which involved the Car of Tomorrow, and violations to the older car, which will be phased out after this season.
NASCAR told teams before the season that penalties will be severe with the Car of Tomorrow. Series officials want to stifle creative car setups so the cars are as equal as possible.
"They want to see it tough for the teams because that will help create more side-by-side racing and nose-to-tail racing, which will inevitably make it better for the fans to enjoy,'' former champion Kurt Busch said Tuesday before the penalties were announced.
For those who question NASCAR's tactics, Busch recalled a saying the late Bill France Jr. often uttered when challenged.
"This is our sand box; if you want to play in it, you can play,' " Busch heard France say. "But if you don't, there's other teams and drivers and people behind you that will.' "
The infraction by Jeff Gordon and Johnson's teams is the second with the Car of Tomorrow. The first penalty came last month, when Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car was found to have improper mounting brackets on the rear wing at Darlington. NASCAR docked Earnhardt 100 points, suspended crew chief Tony Eury Jr. for six races and fined Eury $100,000. Eury, who is on probation until the end of the year, can return for the July 7 race at Daytona.
Sitting Jeff Gordon and Johnson out of practice and qualifying last weekend was a new penalty. Missing qualifying meant the two started at the rear of the 43-car field and had among the last picks for their pit stalls. Pit location can be critical in races.
Jeff Gordon finished seventh, Johnson 17th. After the race, Jeff Gordon said the start from the rear hurt him -- "It was a huge impact" -- and he hoped NASCAR would consider it in deciding any other penalties.
"I think that anything further than that,'' Jeff Gordon said, "is going to be extremely disappointing and really kind of a jaw-dropper."
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