KONI Challenge Series… (HD) • 2:00pm
  • Media
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Check out the latest SPEED podcasts on iTunes
  • Mobile
This could be your avatar!
Username
Password
Register
tom_jensen's avatar
Author:
Tom Jensen
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
SPEEDtv.com Store
Victory by Design: Jaquar DVD
This brand new show will give the Jaguar enthusiast a real chance to appreciate the beauty and power of the Jaguar heritage.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
"Hot Rod Pinups II"
A Sequel to his 2005 bestseller Hot Rod Pin-ups, ace photographer David Perry offers an all-new collection of images.
Our Price: $35.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speed Addicts: Grand Prix Racing
Speed Addicts is the complete and definitive illustrated book of grand prix motor racing, told in the form of a human story.
Our Price: $34.99 ON SALE!
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: Gordon, Johnson Chevys Parked After Failing Inspection
Written by: Tom Jensen   
06/21/2007 - 07:00 PM
Sonoma, Calif.
 
After Friday's shenanigans, the Hendrick cars were back on form Saturday. (LAT photo) » More Photos

The Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon flunked inspection Friday morning at Infineon Raceway, prior to the start of practice for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 and were parked for the remainder of the day, said NASCAR Managing Director of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston.

The two Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets failed the front template test and will not be allowed to practice or qualify today. Whether they will be allowed to practice tomorrow as yet to be determined, Poston said. The two cars will start at the back of the field for Sunday's race.

"The (No.) 24 and 48 teams failed initial inspection this morning, as a result of body modifications found to be outside NASCAR's tolerances" said Poston. "As a result, neither team will participate in on-track activities today, which means no practice and no qualifying. Both teams will have the opportunity to repair their cars and resubmit them for inspection. Assuming they pass inspection, both teams will be able to participate in Sunday's race and will start from the rear of the field."

Expect severe penalties to be issued next week, with points, monetary fines and suspensions possible. NASCAR has vowed to crack down on cheating
with the new Car of Tomorrow, which is being run this weekend for the seventh time this season. Earlier this year, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was fined 100 points and $100,000 and had his crew chief, Tony Eury, Jr. suspended for six weeks because of illegal rear spoiler brackets.

Poston hinted that the penalties for the Hendrick teams will be severe. "I don't want to speculate on what-ifs and different things, but I can tell you that violations to the new car, the Car of Tomorrow are going to be more severe than you'd have with the spoiler car," Poston said. " … It's important to know that this is a Car of Tomorrow penalty. The inspection process and NASCAR's reaction to the Car of Tomorrow violations are going to be more severe. We're going to keep this car in check. It's important to know all cars in the field are equal and all have the same opportunity to win the race as the other."

Additionally, NASCAR could choose to confiscate both cars, as it has at times in the past when cars failed inspections.

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, Steve Letarte and Doug Duchardt of Hendrick Motorsports will address the media at 12:45 p.m. PST.

SPEEDTV.com will be there to update this breaking news story then.