CUP: SPEED Insider Matt Clark Reacts To No. 48 Penalties Being Upheld

Sprint Cup

CUP: SPEED Insider Matt Clark Reacts To No. 48 Penalties Being Upheld

SPEED NASCAR Insider Matt Clark is a former Hendrick Motorsports crew member...

David Harris | Posted March 13, 2012 Charlotte, NC

SPEED INSIDER & FORMER HENDRICK CREW MEMBER CLARK REACTS to NO. 48 PENALTIES BEING UPHELD

SPEED NASCAR Insider and former Hendrick Motorsports crew member Matt Clark reacted to NASCAR upholding previous suspensions and fines for the No. 48 crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec. The duo currently leads the team driven by five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

NASCAR levied those penalties on Feb. 17, after officials discovered unapproved C-Posts on opening day inspections (Feb. 17) for this year’s Daytona 500. Knaus and Malec were each suspended for six Sprint Cup Series races, suspended from NASCAR until April 18 and placed on probation until May 9. Knaus was also fined $100,000, while driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon both lost 25 championship points, respectively.

Car owner Rick Hendrick is going to appeal this ruling to Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook.

SPEED: What’s your initial reaction to NASCAR upholding the penalties? Are you surprised?

Clark: No, I’m not surprised they were upheld by the panel. Statistics prove that it’s almost impossible to get penalties overturned, or reduced. Based on some of the comments in the garage from competitors whom were fairly objective, there were a number of people that felt the 48 was singled out.

I think NASCAR stuck to their guns, chose to go down that road, and they upheld it after hearing both sides. I’m sure Hendrick Motorsports is going to appeal the fine, and I think they should, and take it all the way.

SPEED: Rick Hendrick’s immediate reaction was, ‘I don’t accept it - period.’ What are your thoughts?

Crew chief Chad Knaus was suspended for six weeks after NASCAR officials said the No. 48 car’s C posts did not conform to specifications after pre-qualifying inspection in Daytona last month. (Photo: Getty Images)

Clark: Without slinging a lot of mud, there were other cars similar to what the 48 presented in the garage area because that’s an area some teams are exploring. But I think the 48, in NASCAR’s opinion, pushed it a little far. It’s an interpretation of the letter of the law, and it’s very difficult to fight a tide like that when NASCAR makes a ruling.

As a former competitor, disappointed is not the right word because I was there when Chad had (another penalty) overturned and have seen both sides of it. But based on what I’ve heard, and in talking to some of the folks in the garage… NASCAR can say that they weren’t holding any grudges, however, it’s hard not to take that into consideration on this one.

SPEED: You’ve mentioned the depth on this team in the past, how is the team going to react in your estimation?

Clark: Darian Grubb went on to win a couple of races when Chad was suspended from Speedweeks. As soon as this hit, and if you know anything about the Hendrick organization, they are all about preparation. They have a lot of depth from the top-down that can help this thing move forward. It will be interesting to see who they actually name to be the interim crew chief. The depth is staggering and honestly, this team thrives on adversity. Having been there a number years, I understand it. I don’t think you’ll see much of a tail off in performance.