NASCAR penalizes Jimmie Johnson’s team and two others

NASCAR announced penalties to three Sprint Cup teams, including Jimmie Johnson‘s team Wednesday.

Also penalized were the teams of Jamie McMurray and Justin Allgaier.

NASCAR cited Jimmie Johnson’s team with a written warning for the second consecutive race weekend – making it a P1 penalty. Johnson’s team will have among the last two picks for pit stalls this weekend at Dover International Speedway regardless of how they qualify.

NASCAR issued the team a written warning after the May 16 Sprint All-Star Race for modifying a side skirt. NASCAR issued the team a written warning Wednesday for needing too many times to pass pre-qualifying inspection before last weekend’s Coca-Cola 600. NASCAR’s rule book states that if a team receives two warnings during two consecutive events, they may receive one or more P1 penalties at NASCAR’s discretion. Having last choice of pit stalls is among those P1 penalties.

NASCAR sent a memo to teams last month about penalties for needing multiple attempts to get through inspection.

Allgaier’s team received a written warning All-Star weekend and was issued a written warning for pre-race inspection at the Coca-Cola 600. The two warnings equal a P1 penalty, which will be to have among the last two choices – along with Johnson’s team – in pit stall selection for this weekend’s race at Dover.

NASCAR also announced that Matt McCall, crew chief for McMurray’s team has been placed on probation through Dec. 31 after a P2 penalty. NASCAR cited McMurray’s team modifying the right rear quarter panel wheel opening after qualifying inspection.

NASCAR also stated Wednesday that the cars of Coca-Cola 600 winner Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman all passed inspection at the R&D Center.(Dustin Long, NBC Sports)