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Last updated on Thursday, March 1, 2012
(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) - Jimmie Johnson’s bad start to the NASCAR Sprint Cup season got worse on Wednesday.
NASCAR announced that the five-time Sprint Cup Champion has been docked 25 points after the 48 car failed technical inspection at Daytona on February 17th.
NASCAR Officials confiscated the car's c-posts during the initial inspection at Daytona International Speedway.
NASCAR considerd the C-posts to be illegal, saying they allow the car to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
In addition to taking away points, Crew Chief Chad Knaus and Car Chief Ron Malec have been suspended for six races with Knaus being fined $100,000.
Both will be on probation until May 9th. Hendrick Motorsports will appeal the ruling, allowing Knaus and Malec to participate in this weekend's race at Phoenix.
Johnson finished 42nd in Monday's Daytona 500 after crashing on the second lap.
After the penalties, Johnson is 70 points behind Daytona winner Matt Kenseth in the standings.
If the penalties are upheld, it will mark the fifth time NASCAR has suspended Knaus since 2001.
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