Hendrick Penalties

[jbell1981]

Same as the #8 (with the additon of no Fri. practice and qualifying of course).

From Nascar.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 24 and No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports teams that compete in the Nextel Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found this past weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

Both cars -- the No. 24 driven by Jeff Gordon and the No. 48 driven by Jimmie Johnson -- were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20-2.1E (parts or components of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that have been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted); and 20-2H (fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance which must be approved by the Series Director) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during the initial inspection process last Friday.

As a result, Gordon and Johnson have each been penalized 100 driver championship points. Their respective crew chiefs -- Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus -- have each been fined $100,000, suspended for the next six Nextel Cup Series events until Aug. 15 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007.

In addition, Rick Hendrick, owner of the No. 24, has been penalized 100 car owner championship points as has Gordon, who is the owner of the No. 48.

[Sifty]

Just about what we all thought.

I thought they may have gone a little harder on Knaus because of his history.

Sifty

[harvey lee]

Exactly what I was thinking Sifty.

[Coach Dog]

I think it is too much, but I may be biased. They already penalized last week by not letting them qualify. I also think Jr's was a bit excessive, but they are consistent, so that is good. They wouldn't go more on Knaus unless he was currently on probation. Without going into the details, I think it doesn't fit the crime, and I'll leave it at that.

[HOF#13]

Yep. That's what I thought too Sifty.

Do you think that maybe Rick Hendrick is getting a little tired of Chad Knaus and his repeated antics, or do the wins heal those wounds?

[jbell1981]

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Do you think that maybe Rick Hendrick is getting a little tired of Chad Knaus and his repeated antics, or do the wins heal those wounds?

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I would guess that Rick knows exactly what's going on and probably telling them to go to push the "gray areas" for an edge.

[Meaney]

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I think it is too much, but I may be biased. They already penalized last week by not letting them qualify. I also think Jr's was a bit excessive, but they are consistent, so that is good. They wouldn't go more on Knaus unless he was currently on probation. Without going into the details, I think it doesn't fit the crime, and I'll leave it at that.

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Too much?? I think it is not enough. I had always thought that jr's "cheating" seemed more of a mistake, an oops if you want to call it, and he got that huge penalty. And now, the 48 and the 24 come out with this more so blatant attempt at cheating..and they got the same penalty as jr. To me, I think they should have been penalized more. and yes, I dislike Jr as much as I do the 24 and 48 so dont think I am a Jr fan by any means..

[harvey lee]

I would agree that at least Chad Knaus should have recieved a more severe penalty. At least they did penalize them some.

The problem with the penality is that the money means nothing, the points wont hurt them that bad and they have plenty of qualified people to replace thier crew chiefs.

I would much rather see all teams that break the rules be told to sit out 2-4 weeks. That would slow the rule violations down for sure. Now, it means nothing as Mr Knaus just continues to not be bothered by it. Maybe Rick Hendrick also as he could also stop some of this.

[fishing tech]

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Do you think that maybe Rick Hendrick is getting a little tired of Chad Knaus and his repeated antics, or do the wins heal those wounds?

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I would guess that Rick knows exactly what's going on and probably telling them to go to push the "gray areas" for an edge.

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Rick knows exactly what is going on. Remember the tax evasion with his dealerships? It is all about the money and being a big shot.

[LMITOUT]

This is at least the 15th time Knaus has been penalized for something during his crew chief career, and this was his fourth suspension since 2001.

at LEAST the 15th time??? I knew he was a cheat, but this is rediculous. How many times is he going to be put on double-secret probation before the hammer really drops on this guy? I think it's way past due as this smug little you-know-what needs a lesson.

[JohnMickish]

I think Hendrick will put up with it as long as they bring home the hardware, which is what they do, repeatedly.

[PierBridge]

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I think Hendrick will put up with it as long as they bring home the hardware, which is what they do, repeatedly.

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About what we thought not enough for some too much for others.

Was Knaus on probation? and is there some precedent for past violations or is that something New you guys want to impose now just because its a Hendrick guy?

[harvey lee]

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I think Hendrick will put up with it as long as they bring home the hardware, which is what they do, repeatedly.

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The bigger question is, how long will NASCAR put up with thier illegal activities? Rick Hendrick and the gang will keep trying to get away with this as long as NASCAR lets them. I would think some of the other teams might be getting tired of thier games so often.

[Sifty]

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I think Hendrick will put up with it as long as they bring home the hardware, which is what they do, repeatedly.

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About what we thought not enough for some too much for others.

Was Knaus on probation? and is there some precedent for past violations or is that something New you guys want to impose now just because its a Hendrick guy?

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Pier, I think that with the history of the 48, people are wondering if you continue to get caught pushing the "gray" area's how long before you get the book thrown at you?

Sifty

[OUTDOORNUT]

I really think NASCAR needs to go to a three strike rule or something. Knaus is a multi-annual violator. I agree with most of the others that his personal penalty should have been much more severe. Driver points were fine, but slap Knaus with some serious fines that will take a chunk out of the deep pocket book.

At least Jr. will be able to fit right in with the rest of the Hendrick Hoodlums......Hendrick has more on probation than a juvenile delinquent center!

[Papa Grump]

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Hendrick Hoodlums......Hendrick has more on probation than a juvenile delinquent center!

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Now that's funny right there I tell ya

[JohnMickish]

You guys are crazy if you think NASCAR is really going to do anything about it. Things like this get the sport in news more often and has people like us talking about it. It's just good puplicity for them and as long as it keeps making the France family money they will allow it.

They only way NASCAR is going to do something is when people stop watching it on TV, so if you really want them to notice stop watching the races. Not really going to happen is it?

[LMITOUT]

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They only way NASCAR is going to do something is when people stop watching it on TV, so if you really want them to notice stop watching the races. Not really going to happen is it?

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Ironic you should say that since apparently it IS happening....ratings ARE down and people are getting tired of the WWE...errr.. I mean NASCAR antics, which reflects exactly what you said in your first paragraph about NASCAR not doing anything about it. Their Magnadoodle rulebook is slowly but surely turning people away.

[Meaney]

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Magnadoodle rulebook

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I LOVE IT!

[fishonnopeoff]

Well said. Nuff said.

[harvey lee]

I will say that NASCAR has almost pushed me away from watching it on TV. I only watch a few complete races per year and the rest maybe 10%.

[PierBridge]

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Well said. Nuff said.

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Not hardly~

I hope nobody actually believes the ratings are down because of the Cheating.

There are many reasons the ratings are going down and your guy's infatuation with Hendrick or any cheating has ZERO too with it.

[lawdog]

Been out sick the last couple days. I still think this is talk since the cars fit the templates. DW has a good article on Foxsports.com where he basically says the same thing I've been saying. If it fit the template but they didn't like it, then they should have said, you know this isn't right even though it fits the template, fix that, and then they should have issued a rule or built another template so it was actually something legit to penalize a team for. This make it up as you go talk is where NASCAR gets in trouble. Its either there or it isn't and this "violation" isn't there as the cars fit the tempaltes...

[harvey lee]

Glad your feeling better Jeff.

[Harmonica Bear]

Doesn't this pretty much mean don't touch the fenders regardless if it fits the template?

Both cars -- the No. 24 driven by Jeff Gordon and the No. 48 driven by Jimmie Johnson -- were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20-2.1E (parts or components of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that have been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted); and 20-2H (fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance which must be approved by the Series Director) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during the initial inspection process last Friday.