NASCAR crew chiefs suspended for violations at Las Vegas

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR has turned its penalty system up a notch, stripping Jimmie Johnson of his lead in the points and suspending three crew chiefs for cheating at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

It's NASCAR's most severe meting out of punishment since the sanctioning body began docking points in 2002.

Johnson's winning car failed to pass inspection after Sunday's race, falling short of the minimum height requirement. For that, NASCAR suspended crew chief Chad Knaus, fined him $35,000 and docked Johnson 25 points in the Nextel Cup standings in a swift crackdown Tuesday.

Johnson defended his crew chief, considered among the best in the garage, and said his Chevrolet was too low because a bolt came loose during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.

''I have 100 percent trust and confidence in Chad that he is going to do everything within the rules,'' Johnson said.

The points reduction dropped Johnson from first to second in the standings. He now trails series champion Kurt Busch by 10 points.

Also suspended Tuesday was Todd Berrier, crew chief for Kevin Harvick, who was given a four-week sentence and fined $25,000 for rigging the fuel tank to appear full when it actually wasn't during qualifying.

Alan Gustafson was suspended for two weeks and fined $25,000 because Kyle Busch's runner-up car was too high in the post-race inspection.

''Guys have just got to stop playing games with the rules,'' NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter told The Associated Press. ''We've got to do whatever we have to do to protect the integrity of this sport.''

Harvick and Kyle Busch also were docked 25 points apiece. And 25 car-owner points were taken from Rick Hendrick, the car owner for Kyle Busch; Jeff Gordon, who owns Johnson's car, and Richard Childress, who owns Harvick's.

Hendrick and Childress said they plan to appeal.

''I'm not disputing NASCAR's right to levy sanctions,'' Hendrick said in a statement. ''As a team owner, I understand why these standards are in place and have always taken pride in the fact that our organization has kept a very clean record.

''In this particular instance, though, we disagree with the severity of NASCAR's stance and plan to appeal their decision. I want to make it clear that we in no way intentionally ignored guidelines, and I'm certain everyone understands that.''

Childress echoed his fellow team owner.

''I understand NASCAR's reasons for imposing a penalty,'' he said. ''However, I think the penalty they have given us is out of line, so we have decided to appeal their ruling.''

Berrier admitted intentionally rigging the 22-gallon tank to appear full when it had just five gallons of gas in it -- thereby allowing the car to go faster.

The team was caught because Harvick qualified fourth. If he had been outside of the top five, his car might not have been checked following his run.

And if NASCAR officials weren't already angry, their patience was tested when Berrier showed little remorse after being caught.

''If I had to do it again, I'd still play it to try to get away with it, because I know how I got caught,'' he told NASCAR.com.

Hunter hopes the penalties serve as a wake-up call to the teams.

''This is just unacceptable,'' he said. ''So maybe the crew chiefs being at home will help remedy this issue.''

None of the suspended crew chiefs will be permitted to communicate with their race teams via cell phone or radio during the time they are suspended, Hunter said.