Jimmie Johnson is hoping for a positive outcome in Tuesday’s hearing with the National Stock Car Commission's chief appellate officer, John Middlebrook.
Johnson was “disappointed” last week when the commission upheld NASCAR’s decision to penalize the No. 48 Lowe’s team 25 driver/owner points and fine crew chief Chad Knaus $100,000 and suspend Knaus and car chief Ron Malec for six races for unapproved C-posts.
But the driver is hoping the next decision will be more favorable.
After all, Middlebrook has lessened the penalties in all three cases he’s heard. He decreased the penalty in cases involving then-Clint Bowyer crew chief Shane Wilson and Nationwide team owner Johnny Davis and reinstated Nationwide Series driver Peyton Sellers from a suspension of indefinite length.
“I’m optimistic,” Johnson said. “We clearly feel we have a point to make and that is why we continue to go through the process and appeal this thing. We certainly hope that this next and final step, our argument is heard.
“(But) there is no telling how it is all going to shake out.”
Although veteran crew chief Larry Carter was hired in the offseason — he shadowed the No. 48 team last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — Johnson insists there haven’t been “any changes at the track or the way we go about things.” Nor has the team worked on a contingency plan should Knaus and Malec be banned from inside the track.
“We’ve had a lot of faith with what took place and felt like last Tuesday things would be overturned,” Johnson said. “We were shocked with the penalties to start in the beginning. We haven’t made any changes. . . . We feel like if . . . things don’t change (after the appeal), we are not overly concerned because of the depth we have."
Though Johnson has faith in his team's bonds, he's concerned about the impact if the penalties are upheld.
" . . . We know how important this sport is along the lines of chemistry," he said. "Chad and I have a great chemistry. Ron Malec, for that matter, the way Ron runs the team. If things stand it will be a huge blow to the team. I feel like we can work through it and still have a chance to win races, but it would be very difficult.”
The five-time champion believes the 25 points he was docked because of the infraction “is a big number.” Johnson currently is 23rd in the points standings after finishing second at Las Vegas. But without the penalty, Johnson would have the same number of points (86) as Ryan Newman, currently in 13th place, and Clint Bowyer.
“It puts a premium back on winning, and then you don’t have your crew chief and car chief, so winning is going to be that much more difficult,” Johnson said of the points system. “It’s a double-edged sword. It’s not an easy deal to go through; that is why we are fighting these appeals like we are.”
Regardless of the eventual result, Johnson doesn’t believe Knaus’ repeat offenses will tarnish the No. 48 team’s legacy. After all, Johnson accumulated an unprecedented five consecutive championships and has earned 55 victories — and counting.
“You all know that there is not a car more scrutinized in this garage area than the No. 48 car,” Johnson said. “It’s been that way for the last decade. By no means do I think it hampers it at all.”
