Jimmie Johnson and his team get alert call from NASCAR officials – NASCAR news
Jimmie Johnson and his team have received a warning from NASCAR officials that they will be closely monitored until the end of the running season.
Johnson’s car will also be kept under a watch during the races to ensure there is no deliberate violation of regulations.
After a controversial order from Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus the race officials had to take a preventive step.
Johnson said, “At the end of the day, while Chad was trying to protect himself post-race, he made a foolish statement. That is truly it. At the end of the day, that car passed inspection multiple times at an impound race and was pushed out onto the grid.
It was certainly something that we did not want to take place.”
Knaus asked Johnson to deliberately hit his car to cause damage during the race held at Talladega. His voice over team radio was recorded and then revealed that he wanted Johnson to crack the rear end of his car when he wins the race.
Johnson’s crew chief added that only a slight damage would be fine and he should not wreck the car in action.
An American website SBnation.com published a report that clearly mentioned the instructions given to Johnson by Knaus.
The piece of recording from team radio was attained by a fan, who used a live feed facility at the official NASCAR website.
Johnson was shocked to hear the instructions and responded clueless to his crew chief.
Knaus was inquired about the instructions he gave to his driver. He said that it was a precautionary instruction. If he had won the race and had a damaged end on his car, it would have been easier to pass the post race inspections.
It would have been a cause for explanation on not meeting the regulations. At Talladega, three other team drivers were also penalised with fines, race suspension and other penalties.
The windscreens on the cars of Martin Truex Jr., David Reuitmann and Bobby Labonte did not meet the specifications determined by regulations which forced them to face penalties.
During the race at Martinsville, Johnson stated that his crew chief was confused at the time to order such instructions. He also added that his car passed several pre-race technical inspections.
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