Penalties doled out to the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team with driver Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec were upheld Tuesday, although the team plans to continue the appeals process.
An appeals panel, which included John Capels, Leo Mehl and Dale Pinilis, decided that the team's violation at Daytona warranted the penalties of six-race suspensions for Knaus and Malec, probation for both until May 9, a $100,000 fine for Knaus and a loss of 25 driver and owner points for Johnson (driver) and Jeff Gordon (No. 48 car owner). The decision was unanimous.
The appellants have the right under Section 15 of the rulebook to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer (John Middlebrook), which the team plans to use as its final appeal.
“I don't accept it. Period,” Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports team owner, said of the decision. “We are going to go ahead to the next level and make our case one more time. Chad will be at Bristol. I believe in my guys and I believe in the system.”
NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend.