Partial vindication claimed

Associated Press

FONTANA, Calif.

Jimmie Johnson insists his car was perfectly legal at the Daytona 500, and he believes NASCAR’s chief appellate officer proved it this week by rescinding most of the penalties levied against crew chief Chad Knaus.

“Through the appeal process, we’ve proved that those C-posts were legal,” the five-time champion driver said Friday.

NASCAR President Mike Helton reached the opposite conclusion from the same process, and he points to Knaus’ $100,000 fine left intact by chief appellate officer John Middlebrook as evidence.

“That tells you that the inspection process was correct, and there was an issue with the car,” Helton said.

No wonder much of the garage at Auto Club Speedway is surprised and confused as they get back to work this weekend in Johnson’s native Southern California.

“I don’t feel vindicated, because I feel like everything should have been overturned,” Johnson said. “Pleased that things went our way, but don’t feel vindicated.”

At least Johnson and Helton both feel it’s time to move on from the debate that could have ruined Johnson’s season shortly after it began.

“I guess this is one of those positions where we agree to disagree,” Johnson said.

Helton staunchly defended Middlebrook against criticism of Tuesday’s surprising ruling, rejecting presumptions of a bias toward Hendrick Motorsports. Helton also defended the autocratic nature of Middlebrook’s job, which doesn’t require him to give any rationale for his decisions.

“We believe the decision that was made this week supports the inspection process,” Helton said. “Because the elements of the penalty that were upheld indicate that ... the inspectors did their job correctly. I think the debate this week was about the decision after that point, and we reacted to it. We believe very strongly in our inspection process, and I’m very proud of it.”

Knaus was fined and suspended for six races along with car chief Ron Malec, and Johnson was docked 25 points after the No. 48 car failed opening day inspection at Daytona. The inspectors visually determined the sheet metal between the roof and side windows had been illegally modified to create an aerodynamic advantage.