Busted! Knaus / Johson nailed for rear window shenanigans

From NASCAR.com

Knaus facing suspension after 48 fails inspection

Johnson, Terry Labonte have Daytona 500 qualifying times nixed

By David Newton, NASCAR.COMFebruary 12, 200610:47 PM EST (03:47 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Crew chief Chad Knaus faces possible suspension for altering the height of the rear window in driver Jimmie Johnson's car before Sunday's qualifying for the Daytona 500.

Johnson's qualifying speed that ranked fifth was disallowed, which will force him to start from the back in the first of Thursday's two Gatorade 150 qualifying races that set positions 3 through 43 in the 500.

Terry Labonte's car also had its qualifying run thrown out Sunday after the No. 96 Chevrolet failed inspection.

Labonte's car, with a Joe Gibbs Racing engine, was found to have illegal modifications to the carburetor. The two-time NASCAR champion is driving in the inaugural race for Hall of Fame Racing, the team owned by former NFL quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

"These were serious infractions," NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said. "I don't think we would disallow the times if this was not serious."

The biggest penalty could come as early as Monday against Knaus, according to a NASCAR source.

According to the source, an instrument was placed inside the car that raised the rear window after it went through pre-qualifying inspection to provide an aerodynamic advantage.

The height difference was discovered during a post-qualifying inspection and considered a flagrant attempt to gain a competitive advantage.

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