The Auto Club 400 at Fontana race thread is up Ping!
Six-race suspension of Knaus, Malec overturned
Johnson given back 25 driver points; fine, probation still stand for crew chief
http://www.nascar.com/news/120320/cknaus-jjohnson-rhendrick-win-final-appeal/index.html
CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR chief appellate officer John Middlebrook overturned on Tuesday an earlier ruling by the governing body that had threatened to cripple the No. 48 team of driver Jimmie Johnson for the 2012 season.
In doing so, Middlebrook rescinded the loss of 25 Sprint Cup championship driver and car owner points assessed, and also rescinded six-week suspensions levied against crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec. The only penalty that remained in place was a $100,000 fine for Knaus — while both he and Malec will remain on probation until May 9.
With the restoration of the 25 driver points to his total, Johnson made a jump Tuesday from 17th to 11th in the point standings heading into Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Team owner Rick Hendrick spearheaded the final appeal Tuesday, along with Knaus. They met for about six hours with Middlebrook and NASCAR officials who defended their decisions to levy the penalties in the first place — before Middlebrook eventually made his ruling at about 3:45 p.m. ET.
First!!!
I posted this 12 seconds after you pinged us...
I’ll be there ...got tix and pit passes...boo yah!!!...:oP
Would you please add me to the ping list for these threads. Thank you.