By David Caraviello,
NASCAR.COM
Jimmie Johnson will head to
Phoenix International Raceway with a negative point total after NASCAR dropped a massive penalty on the No. 48 team Wednesday that also includes six-race suspensions to the program's crew chief and
car chief.
NASCAR penalized Johnson 25 points for modifications to car body pieces that it deemed illegal Feb. 17 in opening inspection for the
Daytona 500. In addition, crew chief
Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec have each been suspended from the next six
Sprint Cup events, and Knaus also was fined $100,000. Johnson's team,
Hendrick Motorsports, immediately announced it would appeal the penalty, and planned no personnel modifications for Phoenix -- meaning that Knaus and Malec would work until the appeal is held.
"Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport," car owner
Rick Hendrick said in a statement. "In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process."
Johnson crashed in the opening laps of Monday night's season-opening Daytona 500 (watch), and finished the event with only two points. The point penalty, which unlike the suspensions goes into effect immediately despite the appeal, means Johnson will go to Phoenix with negative-23 points in the Sprint Cup standings, and be 70 points behind series leader
Matt Kenseth (Standings).
According to NASCAR, the key rule the No. 48 team was found to be in violation of was Section 20-2.1E -- unapproved car body modifications, specifically any part of the car modified to enhance aerodynamic performance.
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