NASCAR announced today that four penalties have been issued to two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, as a result of rule violations this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
Chad Knaus, crew chief for the #48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson, has been fined $25,000 and suspended from all NASCAR events until March 22, 2006 [thru Atlanta race]. Knaus has also been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006. The penalties come because of an unapproved template modification to the rear window area, violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 20-3.12.1 (A) (unapproved template modification.) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule book. The violation was discovered during Feb. 12 post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. On Feb. 13, NASCAR ejected Knaus from further participation in Daytona 500 activities as a result of the violation.[No Point Penalties]
Three penalties were assessed to the #96 Chevrolet team, due to the use of an unapproved carburetor, a violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule Book. Crew chief Philippe Lopez was fined $25,000; driver Terry Labonte was penalized with the loss of 25 driver championship points; and car owner William Saunders was penalized 25 owner championship points. This rule violation was also discovered during post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500.(NASCAR PR)(2-21-2006)

Can anyone tell me how the heck Johnson wasn't fined 25 driver points or Hendrick fined 25 owner points? Knaus flat out cheated, he knew what he was doing, he's a veteran crewchief that has consistantly tried bending or breaking the rules. This time he went a little too far by tampering with the rear window area after inspection. Now you have the #96 team, who is a brand new team and just starting to get their feet wet. It was reported that the wrong carburetor was in the car, but announced on trackside that it was an honest mistake. That type of carburtor is used on other types of tracks, not restrictor plate races. So NASCAR fines them and takes away the points as well? Meanwhile Johnson's team excapes any serious penalities except for Knaus not being there for 3 more races?  In the past, when a crewchief has cheated, like Harvick's crewchief did last year, the driver and owner were fined points.

Not this time though... what's the difference? Am I missing something?  Why... because Johnson won the Daytona 500 and NASCAR doesn't want any bad publicity on Johnson's media tour??

Looks like NASCAR is playing favorites yet again.