Knaus Ejected

[catfan52]

Knaus Ejected from 2006 Daytona 500 Activities

NASCAR announced today that NASCAR Nextel Cup Series crew chief Chad Knaus has been ejected from any further participation in 2006 Daytona 500 activities as a result of a rules infraction discovered following pole qualifying runs Sunday. Knaus is the crew chief for the #48 Lowe's Chevy driven by Jimmie Johnson. NASCAR said the #48 car failed post-qualifying template inspection in the rear window area. The qualifying time posted by the #48 was disallowed and Johnson will have to start at the rear of the field in the first of two 150-mile qualifying races Thursday. The qualifying time of the #96 DLP Chevy driven by Terry Labonte was also disallowed. NASCAR officials said an unapproved carburetor was found on the 96 car. Labonte will also have to start from the rear of the field in Thursday’s qualifying races. Additional penalties for both cars will be determined following the Daytona 500.(NASCAR PR)(2-13-2006)

[catfan52]

UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick today responded to NASCAR sanctions levied against crew chief Chad Knaus following Sunday's Daytona 500 post-qualifying inspection at Daytona International Speedway. "We understand NASCAR's position," Hendrick said. "Our expectations for the team remain high. It's a deep, championship-caliber group and they'll step up this weekend." Darian Grubb, lead engineer for the #24 and #48 Hendrick Motorsports teams, will immediately assume Knaus' at-track duties in preparation for the Feb. 19 Daytona 500. "It's obviously disappointing to miss the biggest race of the year, but I'm confident in Darian and the rest of my teammates," Knaus said. "There's been a lot of effort put into the Daytona 500 and I know the team will be successful with the support they'll receive from the entire organization."(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-13-2006)

[dalejrfan]

now they need to ban jimmy for a race or 2 it would make the crew chiefs think twice before doing things like this... ;D

[dalejrfan]

NASCAR gives Chad Knaus an early return to Charlotte after violations found

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolets, has been "ejected" from further participation in Sunday's Daytona 500.
On Sunday night, Johnson's qualifying lap at 188.762 mph from earlier in the day was disallowed by NASCAR because of a rules violation found in post-qualifying inspection. Johnson's speed had been the fifth fastest of the day.
A source in the garage told the Observer the car was rigged so that the shape of the rear windshield could be altered after the car passed pre-qualifying inspection. The change was designed to deflect more air off the rear spoiler, thereby reducing drag and helping the car go faster.
Knaus was suspended for two races in March 2005 after the roof height of the No. 48 Chevrolet was too low in post-race inspection after Johnson won that race. The suspension was reduced to probation upon appeal. A $25,000 fine and a 25-point penalty were upheld.
With cars having made their qualifying runs on Sunday, the Daytona 500 is considered an event that it already under way, and NASCAR's decision to "eject" Knaus from that event cannot be appealed.
Knaus has been Johnson's crew chief since the driver began Nextel Cup competition. Since 2002 he has had at least six different fines and/or penalties dealing with rulebook violations. And last fall, after a win at Dover, NASCAR rewrote some of its shock absorber rules to directly ban things it found on the No. 48 Chevrolet.
Johnson will still be allowed to drive in Sunday's Daytona 500. He will start at the rear of the field in a 150-mile qualifying race on Thursday, and the results of that race will determine his 500 starting position.
NASCAR said that additional penalties for Johnson's team, as well as the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing team, which also had its time disallowed Sunday for an unapproved carburetor modification, will be determined following the Daytona 500.