Daytona 500 2012: Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Team Gets Major Penalty for Infraction

Almost two weeks after finding an illegal C-post on the No. 48 Lowes car during Daytona's opening day inspection, the penalties have been announced.

According to a press release from NASCAR, the team will lose both their crew chief and car chief for the next six races. When they return, they will be on probation until May 9.

Crew chief Chad Knaus has been fined $100,000 in addition to his suspension and the team has lost 25 owners points and 25 drivers points, putting driver Jimmie Johnson 43rd in points.

The points loss puts Johnson at -23 points after the first race of the season, 75 points behind leader Matt Kenseth and 46 points out of the top 20.

Hendrick Motorsports has already announced that they will appeal NASCAR's suspension. All parties involved can work on the car while the appeal is happening.

“Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport. In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process,” Rick Hendrick said.

Knaus was serving a suspension in 2006 when Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500. However, in 2005 Knaus did have a two-race suspension reduced.