Knaus ejected from Daytona

Elwood · February 14, 2006

From Yahoo Sports:

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer

February 14, 2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Chad Knaus won't be at the Daytona 500. He might miss a few more races, too.

Knaus, the oft-penalized crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, was thrown out of the season-opening race Monday for illegal modifications made to Johnson's car during pole qualifying a day earlier.

NASCAR could have suspended Knaus immediately, but then he likely would have appealed and been allowed to stick around for Sunday's ``Great American Race.'' Instead, he was ejected from the sport's premier event and essentially told he would be dealt with later.

Knaus was accused of raising the rear window on Johnson's car to alter aerodynamics during his qualifying run. The infraction was discovered when the car failed to fit NASCAR templates after his two-lap pole attempt.

NASCAR said Knaus cannot appeal the ejection. It also said the Hendrick Motorsports team could be subject to additional penalties -- possibly a multi-race suspension -- which would be announced after the race.

Team owner Rick Hendrick said lead engineer Darian Grubb will replace Knaus as crew chief Sunday.

``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 in a statement.

Johnson finished fifth in pole qualifying, but he'll have to start from the rear of the field in the first of two 150-mile races Thursday that set the rest of the Daytona 500 lineup.

``We understand NASCAR's position,'' Hendrick said in a statement. ``Our expectations for the team remain high. It's a deep, championship-caliber group and they'll step up this weekend.''

Two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte also had his qualifying run disallowed Sunday, but the series said any penalties against that team would not be announced until next week.

NASCAR acted quickly against the 34-year-old Knaus, possibly because he has been penalized repeatedly for rules infractions.

Knaus was suspended two races and fined $35,000 last year because Johnson's race-winning car failed to meet the minimum height requirement during post-race inspection at Las Vegas. The team also was docked 25 championship points.

Knaus successfully appealed the suspension, getting it reduced to 90 days of probation, but the fine and points penalty were upheld.

He also was fined more than $30,000 during the 2002 and 2003 seasons for various violations, including one for cursing on live television.

His ejection might be applauded in some NASCAR garages. Several teams complained publicly last year that Knaus was receiving special treatment because his two-race suspension was overturned and he avoided trouble when NASCAR discovered modified shock absorbers on the No. 48 following a race at Dover International Speedway.

``There's a little bit of a double standard,'' driver Kevin Harvick, whose crew chief was suspended twice last season for a total of six races, said last week. ``There's probably a reason why Chad Knaus maybe has been brown-nosing so much. I don't know. Maybe we need to brown-nose a little more.''

facn8me · February 14, 2006

It's about time, but Harvicks mouth should stay shut. I was a Harvick fan until he gave RCR an ultimatum. I am so glad he will be in a toyota next year and a deserving driver will get a chance at the Goodwrench car. Looks like with burton on the pole and the 07 5th in qualifying it is harvick that's not performing.

Man that was off topic wasn't it. Anyway I am SOOOO glad knaus got it in the end.

General Lee 01 · February 14, 2006

I need a "HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY" smiley here.

This makes my week.

Nascar has had a steel fist ever since qualifying ended on Sunday, cause they stuck it to Carl Edwards pretty good during the Shootout.

Worktruck · February 14, 2006

If ya aint cheatin', Ya aint tryin' hard enuf............

100R1 · February 15, 2006

Every crew chief is looking for a edge

Chad seems to push it a little to much. Reminds me of Smokey unick from the 70's

The poop on What Chad did was to attach the jack sleeve to the rear window and the jack.

Basically the sleeve is where the shaft of the wrench used to adjust the rear wedge goes into to attach to the jack. When the wedge on Jimmy Johnsons car was increased it caused the sleeve to push "UP" on the rear window (just 1/8" inch) which helped to move the air OFF of the rear spoiler THUS less downforce on the rear and less drag allowing for faster times.

Chad is a sheep in wolves clothing, look at his history caught over 6 times as a crew chief "pushing" the limits

Goodwrench · February 15, 2006

Pushing the limits is what defines racing. Finding an edge over your competition is what it's all about. Knaus just got caught. Believe me when I tell you there isn't a crew chief that doesn't slice it a little thin on every race car.

NASCAR seems hell bent on becoming the United Nations of racing, and they will lose a huge fan base if they do. "Make evrything fair"...just look at what they are trying to accomplish with their "car of the future". Don't we already have that type of racing? Ever hear of IROC?

And the equal opportunity thing...what's that all about? Pure political correctness is what they are doing. Near every competitor in NASCAR came up the hard way, and earned their stripes. It does not need to be given away.

Every crew chief is looking for a edge

Chad seems to push it a little to much. Reminds me of Smokey unick from the 70's

The poop on What Chad did was to attach the jack sleeve to the rear window and the jack.

Basically the sleeve is where the shaft of the wrench used to adjust the rear wedge goes into to attach to the jack. When the wedge on Jimmy Johnsons car was increased it caused the sleeve to push "UP" on the rear window (just 1/8" inch) which helped to move the air OFF of the rear spoiler THUS less downforce on the rear and less drag allowing for faster times.

Chad is a sheep in wolves clothing, look at his history caught over 6 times as a crew chief "pushing" the limits

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100R1 · February 16, 2006

Appears they will be making a example out of this.

expect Chad to be out for a minimum of 4 weeks and could go as high as 10 weeks.

Yes every team pushes the limits. Chad has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar once to many times.

As many a jail bird has said before "The only difference between us on the inside and you on the Outside is WE GOT CAUGHT"

antig24 · February 16, 2006

You would think if they went through all the trouble to raise the rear window, they would think of some way to make it drop back down also.

gave20 · February 16, 2006

You would think if they went through all the trouble to raise the rear window, they would think of some way to make it drop back down also.

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Doh!!

I read on Jayski there's a rumor going around he's looking to get fired to go to Evernham. If he is or not I don't know; but he sure is trying.