NASCAR's not-so-gentle reminder
So Jimmie Johnson's crew chief got caught tinkering with the No. 48. So what's the big deal with raising the rear window a little bit?
In the scheme of things, what Chad Knaus did isn't all that great. It's not even close to what Kevin Harvick's crew chief did last year with the gas tank of the No. 29 at Las Vegas. NASCAR has a real fear of fire. It's not so scared of a rear window.
But NASCAR, by telling Knaus on Monday to go home and watch the 500 on TV, is laying down the law this year. My guess: Expect more -- and more severe -- penalties this year.
First off: Here's the rap sheet on Knaus, courtesy of the AP:
Cheater or Innovator? Knaus in trouble again with NASCAR By The Associated PressCrew chief Chad Knaus calls himself an innovator in the racing world. NASCAR hasn't exactly seen it the same way. Here is a Knaus timeline that includes penalties imposed by NASCAR:
March, 21, 2001: Suspended two races and fined $5,000 for using unapproved shoulder harnesses in a car driver by Stacy Compton.
Oct. 22, 2001: Fined $750 for using unapproved windshield clips on Compton's car.
Dec. 10, 2001: Hired by Hendrick Motorsports as crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet.
July 11, 2002: Fined $25,000 for having improperly installed mounting bolts. The team also was docked 25 championship points and 25 owner points.
July 23, 2002: Fined $5,000 for cursing during a live television interview, NASCAR's first sanction for profanity.
May 21, 2003: Fined $1,000 for using an unapproved air-directional device during NASCAR's All-Star race.
May 26, 2003: Signed five-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.
May 27, 2003: Fined $2,500 for using an unapproved refrigerant.
March 15, 2005: Suspended two races and fined $35,000 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, which knocked Johnson out of the points lead.
March 16, 2005: Appealed suspension.
March 23, 2005: National Stock Car Racing Commission overturned the suspension and placed Knaus on 90 days of probation, but upheld the fine and the points penalty.
Sept. 30, 2005: NASCAR changes a rule regarding shock absorbers after Knaus exploited a loophole that caused Johnson's car to fail post-race inspection at Dover International Speedway.
Feb. 12, 2006: Johnson's qualifying time for the Daytona 500 was disqualified after the car failed a post-qualifying inspection.
Feb. 13, 2006: Suspended from the Daytona 500 for raising the rear window on Johnson's car to alter the aerodynamics during the team's qualifying run.
That's a pretty long list. In hindsight, I suspect Knaus' punishment is a result of some of his past infractions. Earlier fines didn't catch Knaus' attention. Maybe a week off from the track will.
My sense is that NASCAR is tired of people not listening. There's been a lot of complaining over the past several months about the car ownership rule (limit of four per person), the Car of Tomorrow (too expensive) and Toyota (they'll outspend us all!). NASCAR (i.e. the France family) is the one that put the sport together, negotiated the TV deals and rounded up the TV money that's made a lot of good ol' boys and girls mighty, mighty rich.
So when Carl Edwards stages his mini-mutiny at Sunday's Shootout and the 2005 champion says someone's going to die in the 500, NASCAR is going to do something and not apologize for it.
I'm not saying that any of NASCAR's decisions above are right or wrong. I think NASCAR's trying to remind everyone in the sport who's boss, and it's not the guys behind the wheel or atop the pit box. In the past, the drivers, owners and crew chiefs have grumbled but fallen back in line eventually. Maybe that will happen again this time.
I learned a few things about classroom management in my years covering education. Good teachers will start the year off tough, then ease up if a class proves it deserves a little extra freedom and responsibility. If you start off as a softie and try to get tougher if things break down, you'll have lost them by Thanksgiving break.
I think NASCAR's trying the same tactic. My two question, then: Will NASCAR ease up as the season goes on? And how much tougher is NASCAR willing to get?
More elsewhere:
CJ explains slam-drafting at Backstretch Motorsports.
Jeff Hammond says the drivers, not NASCAR, should police themselves in the draft.)
The Frontstretch has Knaus' new schedule for the week.
Diecast Dude, a 24 fan, smacks Knaus for doing something totally unnecessary.