February 20, 2012
By Matthew Pizzolato
Matthew Pizzolato
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Pushing the limits of the rules is something has been going on in NASCAR since its inception.
News that it's still happening should come as no surprise. It wouldn't be stock car racing without that element.
Prior to the Budweiser Shootout this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, the No. 48 car of Jimmie Johnson failed to pass inspection when the C-posts (pillars that extend from the roof to the quarter panels) of the car were found to have been modified. The alterations would have lowered the drag of the car, thereby making it faster on the track.
In the ultra competitive era of modern racing, crew chiefs are looking for every possible advantage to help their cars win. On the other hand, NASCAR officials strive to keep teams from achieving any advantages over the competition. It's a constant battle that is waged back and forth.
The No. 48 team is not the only one in recent memory to have been caught making unauthorized alterations to their cars, it just seems like they are the one that get caught the most. In retrospect, that should come as no surprise considering Johnson's recent run of five consecutive Championships.
How long has Knaus been pushing the limits of what's allowable? It is simply what any good crew chief would do. This time however, he pushed too far.
Since the inception of the Car of Tomorrow, NASCAR officials have been extremely rigid when it comes to allowing teams to make changes to the car. It's probably one of the reasons the COT was introduced.
Perhaps the most famous stories of pushing the limits of the NASCAR rule book are that of the legendary Smokey Yunick and his 7/8th scale Chevelle as well as his "empty gas tank" Pontiac.
During Speedweeks in 1968, NASCAR inspectors removed the gas tank from Yunick's car because they thought it was getting excessive fuel mileage. After passing inspection, Yunick fired the car up and drove away, with the gas tank on the ground.
However, today's infractions are not that blatant.
NASCAR has drastically reduced what the teams can get away with. Knaus is expected to be fined for the modifications found on the No. 48 car. The penalties won't be determined until after the Daytona 500 and the team will be able to fix the car -- and participate in the race.
The fact that teams push the limits of what is allowable should come as no surprise. It would be more shocking if they weren't trying. Sometimes they may get away with things, other times they may not.
Yet is does raise a few questions about the No. 48 team and its impressive run of five straight Championships.
As often as Knaus has been caught making alterations to the car, one has to wonder how often he has not been caught? Yet does that aspect tarnish their legacy? Not at all.
As the old saying goes, if you ain't cheating, you ain't racing. Finding competitive advantages is part of racing. It always has been and always will be.
If you would like to learn more about Matthew, please check out his web site at matthew-pizzolato.com.
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