From the moment NASCAR confiscated the C-posts from Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 car and subsequently stated that a penalty was likely coming, Rick Hendrick maintained his boys were innocent. Tuesday, he got the verdict he sought all along.
Chief appellate officer John Middlebrook overturned NASCAR’s initial ruling against the 48 team, rescinding both a six-race suspension against crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, and the loss of 25 championship points for Jimmie Johnson.
Immediately, Johnson vaulted from 17th in the Sprint Cup standings to 11th. Just as important, he won’t have to do without his crew chief for the next month and a half.
Full story: Knaus, Johnson win appeal; no suspension coming, points restored