Jimmie Johnson Will Make Sprint Cup Chase Despite Daytona Penalties

Much has been made about the penalties levied against five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the No. 48 team after a failed inspection prior to Daytona 500 qualifying.

In case you are just joining us, Johnson has been docked 25 points, and crew chief Chad Knaus has been suspended for the next six races after it was found that the C-post on Johnson's car was found to be well out of tolerance.

Heading into race No. 2 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Phoenix, Johnson sits dead last in the points standings with minus-23 points.

To put that into perspective, the following have more NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points than Johnson:

Danica Patrick, NHRA Funny Car driver John Force, President Barack Obama, Tim Tebow, Cletus the beer-stand operator, you, me and the pile of rocks in my backyard.

How in the world could Johnson still be considered a threat to make the 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup?

It's simple: the No. 48 team is just that good.

Over the past six years—Johnson's five title years plus last season—Johnson has not only been one of the most dominant drivers in NASCAR but also one of the most consistent.

Since 2006, Johnson's average finish is 11th, by far the best of any driver in the sport. The worst of those seasons, as far as average finish is concerned, was 2010, when Johnson won the title by 39 points over Denny Hamlin.

His worst season over the past six came last year; Johnson won two races and finished sixth in the standings.

Johnson's early deficit may have been a bigger deal under NASCAR's old points system, which required that a driver be in the top 12 in points after 26 races.

Now, all that is required of Johnson is that he cracks the top 20 in points after 26 races and that he possesses a few race wins.

Neither of those should be a problem for Johnson.

Johnson is used to starting the season with a deficit. But despite not finishing higher than 27th in a season-opener since 2007, Johnson has never had a problem cracking the top 10 in points prior to race No. 26 at Richmond.

Johnson also hasn't been shy about getting up front and winning races in the first 26 events either. Since 2006, Johnson has won 23 total races in the first 26 events of the season, averaging just over three wins per season in those first 26 races.

And for those of you who are worried that Johnson's performance will dwindle with Knaus being off the pit box, keep in mind that the same thing happened for four races at the beginning of 2006.

The results: first, second, first and sixth, respectively.

Johnson and his No. 48 team are no strangers to adversity. Over the past six years they've seen it all, from crew chief suspensions to early-season deficits.

Heck, they even failed to win a championship once.

Perhaps this is even the kick in the pants Johnson and crew needed to get motivated in 2012. Not just for a Chase run but for another championship run.

Minus-23 is a challenge of difficulty tougher than these guys have ever had to face. But if anybody can overcome this challenge, it is this No. 48 team.

In all likelihood, they will.