Thursday, March 22nd 'What If' Question

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus will go down in the NASCAR history books as one of the greatest driver and crew chief combinations the Sprint Cup Series ever saw.

On the bottom of that page however, it could also be said that they were one of the sports greyest combinations. Their success and five-straight championships haven't come without controversy, instead they seem to be the poster boys for it. Knaus has made quite a name for himself in the garage and around the grandstands, some call him smart, an innovator and hard worker.

Others call him a cheater for the following reasons:

During his time in the Nationwide Series with Stacy Compton:

- unapproved shoulder harnesses, suspended two races and $5,000 fine
- unapproved window clips, $750 fine

Sprint Cup Series with Johnson:

- improperly installed mounting bolts, $25,000 fine
- unapproved air directional device $1,000 fine
- unapproved refrigerant, $2,500 fine
- car failing to meet height sticks after Las Vegas win (2005), team docked 25 championships points and Knaus suspended for two races, which was later overturned on appeal. Was still placed on 90 days probation and $35,000 fine
- shock absorbers taken by NASCAR after failing inspection following win in Dover (2005), NASCAR announced no penalties, saying team had exploited a loophole. Rulebook was later changed
- rear window fails inspection on 2006 Daytona 500 car. Knaus ejected from Speedweeks and later suspended for six weeks
- unapproved fenders at Sonoma (2007), cars were kept in the garage during the first practice. Knaus and teammate Steve Letarte both suspended for six weeks, 100 points taken away

Last fall in Talladega Knaus was caught on camera telling Johnson that should he win the race he needed to 'crack' the back of the car. He wasn't penalized but NASCAR kept a close eye on the 48 for the remainder of the season. That seemed to have carried over into 2012 when the 48 made news on opening day for the Daytona 500.

The car's C-posts were confiscated and the team made to rebuild that area before the car could participate in practice. The car however, never went through inspection. After Speedweeks was over NASCAR announced a six week suspension for Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, 25 driver and owner point deduction and a $100,000 fine for Knaus.

On their second appeal to Chief Appellate officer John Middlebrook the penalty, all except the $100,000, was completely overturned. Johnson moves to 11th in points entering California and won't have to lose Knaus or Malec. HMS reportedly argued that the car was not only legal but the C-posts have been inspected by NASCAR and used last year on HMS cars.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the garage. Surprise seeming to be the biggest reaction while others say it was the only fair ruling since the car never went on the track, Johnson didn't gain an advantage. Kyle Petty went as far to say last weekend that the appeals process and those involved didn't know the team, the sport and shouldn't be judging Johnson or anyone else.

Once the appeal was overturned Petty declared how satisfied he was. There are still those however, that are wondering what exactly happened and if Knaus got one past NASCAR. The haters will continue to call him a cheater, others say no harm no foul since the car remained in the garage.

But ...

What if the No. 48 had made it to inspection then C-posts failed, does penalty still get overturned & do some still agree w/ruling? #NASCAR

@cruetten no. only reason I agree w/the penalty being overturned is 'cause it never got on the track. If it had, I would feel differently

@Albee_M no it would not have been overturned, and no I do not agree with the final ruling

@HD388 no way the ruling gets overturned if the 48 fails inspection probably would of made for a tougher punishment given Chad's past history, I agree with the ruling given the fact that the car never made it to inspection & they weren't allowed to sand or grind the C-post down like the other teams though I still am not sure why the fine stood

Monday, February 13th 'What If' Question

Blame it on the milk and cookies.

Had it not been for that now infamous meeting at Hendrick Motorsports between Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus following the 2005 season the two most likely wouldn't have gone on their incredible five-year championship run. The reason is at the time the No. 48 team was going through some internal turmoil and the relationship between Johnson and Knaus wasn't what he once was, they no longer were seeing eye-to-eye.

After blowing a tire in the season finale at Homestead, finishing 40th and failing to overtake Tony Stewart for the '05 championship tem owner Rick Hendrick sat the two down. It was time to put it all out there and get over whatever problems they were having. And yes, they literally had milk and cookies as Hendrick told them if they were going to act like children he was going to treat them like it. The plates even had mickey mouse ears.

The two hashed it out and the team stayed together instead of splitting up like rumors seemed to indicate. A few months later Johnson went out and won the 2006 Daytona 500, with Knaus at home after having been suspended earlier in the week when the car failed post-qualifying inspection. Johnson went on to win a few weeks later at Las Vegas, then Talladega before earning his first win at the Brickyard and Martinsville on his way to his first NASCAR championship.

Everyone knows what happened in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 before Tony Stewart came along again in 2011 when Johnson finally had a bad year, at least by the standards that many have become accustomed to. While it's impossible to think that Johnson and company will never win another title, his five year title reign will be remembered the most. That was the time when he seemed invincible, untouchable and everyone's biggest nightmare. He'll go down in NASCAR history and if there's anyone would could match the feat it would be himself.

But ...

What if there was no milk & cookies meeting for @JimmieJohnson & CKnaus before 2006, would their 5yr title run still have happened?

@HarpAmyStabler I think that a championship might've happened. But, maybe not a 5 yr stretch run.

@rcracer20 best ? yet. think chad would be gone and no titles, think chad/gordon would have been unstoppable #ihate24

@cruetten i think if that meeting and every other star hadn't aligned just as it did, there wouldn't have been a five-year run of Cups.

Monday, January 10th 'What If' Question

He's not the most hated man in NASCAR but if Jimmie Johnson keeps winning championships he might start to become one.

Now a five-time Sprint Cup Series champion, a five consecutive time champion, Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's team led by crew chief Chad Knaus have the look of can't be beaten. Since entering the Cup Series in 2002 the due have won 25 poles, compiled 203 top 10s, 53 wins and five titles.

Johnson has been called the great driver in NASCAR history or at least in this generation. Knaus has been called one of the great crew chiefs in the sport. He's also been called one of the great cheaters as well. But whatever they're being called it hasn't slowed them down and they will go down in history as one of the most dominate teams the sport has ever had.

Or any sport since that matter.

Of course, the doubters have always been there. Saying Johnson is nothing without Knaus and vice versa. Beyond doubters have been those who blame Jeff Gordon for giving Johnson a ride in the first place when he approached him back in 2001 during a Nationwide Series race.

At the time, Johnson was a no-named Nationwide driver that had one win in 81 starts. Gordon gave him a shot in the Cup Series and Rick Hendrick paired him with Knaus.

The rest they say is history.

But ...

What If Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson were not paired together in 2002, where would Johnson be in terms of accomplishments today? #NASCAR

@jlaracefan14 that is a very good question. #nascar

@Talon64 About 25 wins and one championship, either 2006 or 2009. Which means Mark could be a champ, Jeff 5-time. #NASCAR

@NancyatStudioN I don't know, but I wish JG would have gotten him instead.

@cruetten if the two never got hooked up, JJ would still be a mediocre driver in the NNS series

@denver2u He's talented as a driver,and with the same racecar setup..probably would have won at least 1championship,possibly 2.

@StrokerAce90 Pretty sure JJ wouldn't be at the level he is at today. (he & Chad click very well together) Maybe two Championships at best.

@NewKing48 The same. #fivetime

@ronsracing88 I think he would have a lot of wins, maybe not as many championships.